Talks will strengthen strategic ties: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed hope that his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin would further strengthen the ‘special and privileged’ strategic partnership between India and Russia.
In a series of tweets first in Russian and then in English on the eve of his visit to Russia, he said, “Am confident the talks with President Putin will further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia.”
“Greetings to the friendly people of Russia. I look forward to my visit to Sochi tomorrow (Monday) and my meeting with President Putin. It is always a pleasure to meet him,” Modi tweeted.
The two leaders will primarily focus on pressing global and regional issues, including impact of the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, during their informal summit in Russian city of Sochi on Monday.
Official sources have said the two leaders will meet for four to six hours for the ‘agendaless’ talks where deliberations on bilateral issues are likely to be very limited.
They said the issues on the table may include economic impact on India and Russia in the wake of US withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal, situation in Afghanistan and Syria, threat of terrorism, and matters relating to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRICS summits.
The sources said the possible impact of the US sanctions against Russia under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act on Indo-Russia defence cooperation might also figure during the talks between Modi and Putin.
India is not going to allow its defence engagement with Russia to be dictated by any other country, the sources have said, adding New Delhi has been lobbying with the Trump administration on the issue.