PM meets Putin; favours broadening of strategic partnership

Modi invited Putin to visit Kudankulam atomic power project during his trip in December

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has favoured broadening of the special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia in nuclear, defence and energy sectors and invited President Vladimir Putin to visit Kudankulam atomic power project during his trip in December.

The two leaders met for 40 minutes on the sidelines of the BRICS summit here late last night after their Monday meeting was deferred because of Putin's engagements in Brazil's capital Brasilia.

"Talked about strengthening Russia-India ties in my meeting with President Putin. We value our friendship with Russia," Modi tweeted after his meeting with Putin as the Prime Minister.

Putin congratulated Modi on his great victory in the recent elections.

Modi, who has met Putin in 2001 in Moscow, said that India's ties with Russia is a time-tested relationship and he appreciates that it has been so since early independence.

He expressed deep appreciation for Russia's friendship and unstinting bilateral and international support for India's economic development and security since India's independence.

Speaking in Hindi, he remarked, "Even a child in India if asked to say who is India's best friend will reply it is Russia because Russia has been with India in times of crisis."

"The Prime Minister conveyed his sincere appreciation and admiration for President Putin's decisive leadership in deepening and expanding the India-Russia special and privileged strategic partnership," said a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office.

He said India is committed to taking the relationship forward and the focus is to broaden the strategic partnership including in the areas of defence, nuclear energy, space, energy, trade and investment, people-to-people contacts and addressing regional and global challenges.