Putin said, "Fuel supplies to India will continue." PM Modi said Russian citizens will receive free e-tourist visas. PM Modi announced with Putin: Action will be taken "shoulder to shoulder" against terrorism. Today is the second day of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India. Putin received a warm welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday morning.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday night. PM Modi welcomed him at the airport. Both leaders traveled to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in the same car. They discussed several important issues, including defense. Putin's visit is being watched worldwide.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday night. PM Modi welcomed him at the airport. Both leaders traveled to the PMO in the same car. They discussed several important issues, including defense. Putin's visit is being watched worldwide.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at the India-Russia Business Forum
"President Putin's bringing such a large delegation to this event today was a very important initiative. I warmly welcome you all. I am delighted to be among you, to participate in this forum, and to share my valuable insights. I express my heartfelt gratitude to my friend, President Putin. Discussions on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the Eurasian Economic Union have begun... Mutual trust is the foundation of any partnership, whether in trade or diplomacy. This trust is the greatest strength of India-Russia relations. It provides direction and momentum to our joint efforts. President Putin and I have set a target of increasing bilateral trade to over $100 billion by 2030. But given my conversation with President Putin yesterday and the possibilities we see, I don't think we will have to wait until 2030. We are moving forward with determination to achieve that goal ahead of schedule, and my confidence is growing. Reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers This is being done. The speed and scale of change we have achieved in India over the past 11 years is unprecedented. Following the principle of reform, perform, and transform, India is rapidly progressing towards becoming the world's third-largest economy. Our resolve is stronger than ever, and we are moving confidently and rapidly towards our goals. Next-generation reforms in GST and reduced compliance are steps taken to promote ease of doing business. The defense and space sectors have been opened to the private sector, creating new opportunities in these areas. Now, we are also opening up new possibilities in the civilian nuclear sector. This is not just administrative reform, but a change in mindset. The sole resolve behind these reforms is a developed India. I would like to present some ideas for advancing our cooperation. First, in the area of logistics and connectivity, in today's meeting, President Putin and I emphasized utilizing the full potential of our connectivity. We are moving forward on the INSTC, the Northern Sea Route, the Chennai-Vladivostok corridor. We are committed to growing this. Progress will be made soon. This will reduce transit times, lower costs, and open up new markets for businesses. Through the power of digital technology, we can connect customs, logistics, and regulatory systems through virtual trade corridors. This will speed up customs clearance, reduce paperwork, and make the movement of goods more seamless."
Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at the India-Russia Business Forum, emphasized increasing bilateral trade. Speaking at the India-Russia Business Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, "I would like to emphasize that under PM Modi's leadership, India is pursuing an independent and sovereign policy and achieving very good results. Today, the Indian economy is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Thanks to PM Modi's solid economic policy and historic initiatives such as the Make in India program, India is becoming technologically sovereign. India's IT and pharmaceutical sectors hold leading positions in the world. Indeed, Russia and India are long-term trading partners. Trade volume is growing at a steady pace. And over the past three years, we have seen a record increase of 80%. As a result, last year, Russia-India trade volume reached $64 billion. There are immense opportunities to further expand bilateral trade and investment. Russia and India have large consumer markets... Once again, I would like to emphasize that under PM Modi's leadership, India is pursuing a completely independent and sovereign policy and achieving very good results." "The economic sector is also achieving very good results. I pay special attention to further deepening the multifaceted economic ties between Russia and India. Following today's meetings, we adopted a document on developing India-Russia economic cooperation... Russian businesses are ready to increase purchases from India across a wide range of goods and services. I want to assure businesses that Russia will support all initiatives. Russia is interested in participating in the AI Summit to be held in India in February 2026."
India and Russia Announce New Steps to Strengthen Trade and Economic Ties
India and Russia on Friday agreed on a five-year plan to strengthen their economic and trade partnership, addressing the situation arising from the imposition of punitive tariffs and sanctions by the United States. Prime Minister Narendra Modi told President Vladimir Putin that the war in Ukraine should be resolved through dialogue. Following the summit, Modi and Putin expressed their desire to reinvigorate the more than eight-decade-old partnership between the two countries.
In addition to finalizing the 2030 Economic Program, the two countries signed several agreements to enhance cooperation in a variety of areas, including health, mobility, and people-to-people exchanges. In his media statement after the bilateral summit, Modi said, "Over the past eight decades, the world has seen many ups and downs. Humanity has faced many challenges and crises. Despite this, the India-Russia friendship has remained steadfast like the Pole Star.
Referring to the roadmap prepared to further strengthen economic ties, Prime Minister Modi said that taking the India-Russia economic partnership to new heights is now a shared priority for both sides. He said that India and Russia are working towards concluding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union as soon as possible. The issue of the war in Ukraine also figured prominently during the talks between the two heads of state. Modi said that India has advocated for peace in that country.
He said, "We welcome all efforts being made for a peaceful and lasting solution to this issue. India has always been ready to contribute and will continue to do so in the future." On the threat of terrorism, the Prime Minister said that India and Russia have long stood shoulder to shoulder in the fight against this threat. He said, "Whether it's the terrorist attack in Pahalgam or the cowardly attack on Crocus City Hall, all these incidents have the same root."
Modi said, "India firmly believes that terrorism is a direct attack on the values of humanity, and global unity against it is our greatest strength." Modi said that India-Russia cooperation in the rare earth minerals sector is crucial to ensuring secure and diversified supply chains around the world.
In his address, Putin said that both sides have resolved to prioritize cooperation in the areas of security, economy, trade, and culture. He said that they are working on the possibility of increasing annual bilateral trade to US$100 billion. Putin said that Russia is also considering expanding cooperation with India in the energy sector. He said that his country is ready to provide uninterrupted fuel supplies to India.
The Russian President said that they can also discuss cooperation in the construction of small modular nuclear reactors and floating nuclear power plants. Putin said that Russia, India and other like-minded nations are working towards a just and multipolar world.
Joint Press Statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin, Read What Putin Said
"I thank President Draupadi Murmu of India, the Prime Minister of India, and all our Indian colleagues for the warm and hospitable welcome extended to the Russian delegation... I thank Prime Minister Modi for the dinner hosted at my residence yesterday. We are ready to continue to provide uninterrupted fuel for the growing Indian economy. Our countries are gradually moving towards the use of national currencies for payment settlements. This share in commercial payments already stands at 96 percent. Last year, according to various data, our bilateral trade grew by 12%, setting another record. This number may vary, but in general, it is around US$64 billion. Currently, we estimate that this year's results will remain at the same impressive level. Moreover, as I understand it, we are on track to reach this figure of $100 billion... The Prime Minister has given us a comprehensive list of challenges that our government needs to focus on most. There is a need. We will do so. The creation of a free trade zone between India and the Eurasian Economic Union will help develop Russia-India commercial relations. We are already working on a corresponding agreement. We are also working on a project to build India's largest nuclear power plant. Three of the six reactors have already been connected to the energy network. We are working with our Indian partners to create new international transport routes, including a project to create a north-south transport network from Russia or Belarus to the Indian Ocean coast. Russia and India are pursuing independent and self-reliant foreign policies with like-minded countries in BRICS, SCO, and other global majority countries...
We are protecting the core principles of the rule of law enshrined in the United Nations."
Joint Press Statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin, Read What PM Modi Said
PM Modi said, "Enhancing economic cooperation between India and Russia is our priority, and to this end, we have agreed on an economic cooperation program until 2030. India has advocated for peace on the Ukraine issue from the very beginning. We welcome all efforts for a peaceful and lasting resolution of this matter. India has always been ready to contribute and will continue to do so in the future. India and Russia are working towards an early Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union. India and Russia have long stood shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism. Whether it's the terrorist attack in Pahalgam or the cowardly attack on Crocus City Hall, the root of all these incidents is the same. India firmly believes that terrorism is a direct attack on the values of humanity, and global unity against it is our greatest strength. India and Russia are closely cooperating in the United Nations, G-20, BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and other forums. We continue our dialogue and cooperation in all these forums." In October of this year, millions of pilgrims received the blessings of the sacred relics of Lord Buddha at the International Buddhist Forum held in Kalmykia. I am pleased that we will soon introduce a 30-day free e-tourist visa and a 30-day group tourist visa for Russian citizens."
Joint Press Statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged several agreements between India and Russia at a joint press conference in Delhi. Two important agreements were signed: an agreement on cooperation and migration, and an agreement on temporary labor movements. These agreements are considered an important step towards further strengthening mutual cooperation between the two countries. PM Modi said, "Fifteen years ago, in 2010, our partnership was elevated to the status of a Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. For the past two and a half decades, he (President Putin) has nurtured this relationship with his leadership and vision. His leadership, under all circumstances, has taken our relations to new heights. I express my heartfelt gratitude to my friend, President Putin, for this deep friendship and his unwavering commitment to India."
India Continues Efforts for a Peaceful Resolution, Putin Thanks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday strongly supported the latest efforts to end the Ukraine war and conveyed to Russian President Vladimir Putin that India will stand shoulder to shoulder with all peace efforts to find an amicable solution to this conflict. The Ukraine issue has figured centrally in the annual summit between the two leaders. The summit aims to further strengthen the nearly eight-decade-long bilateral partnership, which has remained stable despite the complex geopolitical environment and tensions.
Modi began his address at the summit by stating that India is not neutral regarding the Ukraine conflict, but rather supports peace. Modi said, "We have been discussing the Ukraine conflict since it began. As a close friend, you have been regularly updating us on the situation. I believe trust is a great strength."
He said, "We must all seek a path to peace. I am aware of the latest efforts and I am confident that the world will turn to peace." He added, "I have always said that India is not neutral; India has a stand, and that is peace. We support all peace efforts and stand shoulder to shoulder with them." Putin praised PM Modi's efforts and thanked him.
I am sharing a lot of information from India regarding Ukraine, said Putin.
At the joint meeting, Putin said, "First of all, thank you very much for inviting me... I can share a lot of information about the events taking place in Ukraine. "We are considering a possible peaceful statement in collaboration with some partners, including the United States. Thank you for your attention to finding a solution to this situation. Over the past years, you have done a great deal to develop our relationship. We are opening additional areas for cooperation, including high-tech aircraft, space exploration, and AI."
In his meeting with Putin, PM Modi said, 'India is not neutral, but a supporter of peace.'
In his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Whenever I have had detailed discussions with world leaders, I have always maintained that India is not neutral. India has a standpoint, and that standpoint is for peace. We support all efforts for peace and stand shoulder to shoulder with all efforts for peace. From COVID to today, the world has gone through many crises. We hope that very soon, the world will be free from worries and a new hope will emerge for the global community in the right direction. Our summit today is moving forward with many results. Your Excellency, your visit is extremely historic. This year marks the 25th anniversary of your first visit to India. It was during your first visit that the foundation of the strategic partnership between our two countries was laid. I am delighted that our relations are also completing 25 years."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchange agreements between India and Russia
Putin Received a 21-Gun Salute
Russian President Vladimir Putin was presented with a Guard of Honor during a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday, ahead of his crucial summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. President Draupadi Murmu and Modi warmly welcomed the Russian President in the courtyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Earlier on Thursday, the Prime Minister had invited the Russian leader to a private dinner.
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