PM Narendra Modi Visits Moscow for India-Russia Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Moscow for a two-day official visit to Russia, invited by Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit. PM Modi was warmly received by First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, who will also accompany him to the hotel.
PM Modi and President Putin will hold a meeting today, and PM Modi will attend a community event in Moscow on Tuesday. The Indian diaspora in Moscow expressed their excitement to meet PM Modi. Savika, a member of the Indian diaspora, said, “I am very excited. I have seen him (PM Modi) only on TV and this will be the first time I will see him in person.”
Young members of the Indian diaspora in Moscow raised slogans of ‘Vande Mataram’ and cheered for PM Modi. Anshika Singh, who has been living in Moscow for 11 years, said, “I am very honoured and excited to meet the Prime Minister.” Sidhu, from Tamil Nadu, has been living in Moscow for 17 years and said, “I am very excited to meet PM Modi and I am very grateful to the embassy of India for giving us the opportunity to meet PM Modi.”
Abir Imtiaz, who has been living in Moscow for 11 years, said he feels very proud. “I am feeling very honoured that our PM is coming to Moscow and we have the chance to meet him.” Deepali Choudhary from Bihar’s Muzzafarpur said she has brought a painting for PM Modi. “I wish him a warm welcome to Moscow and I hope he enjoys his time in Russia.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for a two-nation visit, starting with Moscow. The Ministry of External Affairs stated, “PM Narendra Modi sets off on a 2-nation visit to Russia and Austria. The first leg of the visit takes him to Moscow for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit.”
In his departure statement, PM Modi said, “Over the next three days, I will be in Russia and Austria. These visits will be a wonderful opportunity to deepen ties with these nations, with whom India has time-tested friendship. I also look forward to interacting with the Indian community living in these countries.”
PM Modi added that the special and privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia has advanced over the past ten years, including in areas like energy, security, trade, investment, health, education, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. PM Modi and President Putin have met 16 times over the past 10 years, with their last in-person meeting at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand in 2022.
India’s Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, said, “The program includes a private meeting with President Putin, delegation-level talks, restricted talks, lunch hosted by President Putin, a visit to an exhibition center in the VDNKH Complex, Rosatom Pavilion, and the exchange of documents.”
After his visit to Russia, PM Modi will depart for Austria, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years. In Austria, PM Modi will meet President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Karl Nehammer. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed his excitement to welcome PM Modi, noting the significance of the visit as it marks 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Austria.
