VP Naidu pushes for greater parliamentary exchanges with Russia

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu held a meeting with the Chief of the Russian State Duma (or Parliament) Vyacheslav Volodin here on Monday, wherein he laid stress on increasing exchanges at the parliamentary level to expand mutual understanding between the two nations.

"Our bilateral interaction in every conceivable area is excellent. There is however still considerable scope for broadening our interaction and cooperation at the parliamentary level," Vice President Naidu, who is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, said during the meeting.

"We must encourage greater exchanges at the parliamentary-level to improve mutual understanding. It is necessary that India-Russia Friendship Groups in both Parliaments interact on a more regular basis," he said.

Vice President Naidu invited observers from Russia for the general elections in India which are scheduled in 2019 and noted, "Very happy that Indian election commissioners and their deputies have been participating as observers in the Presidential elections in Russia. I am very happy that both the election commissions are working together."

During the meeting held with the Russian delegation led by Volodin, Vice President Naidu congratulated the chief for the 25th anniversary of the Federation Council of Russia.

Vice President Naidu also condemned terrorism in all forms during the meeting and highlighted, "Terrorism in all forms is a big threat to the world community. We need to work with much greater coordination to uproot the same. We need to have an early conclusion of discussions on declaration of UN in this regard."

The Vice President also took the opportunity to underscore the warm relations shared by India and Russia.

"Our bilateral relations have traditionally been warm and friendly. Our leadership at the highest level attaches a great deal of importance in further strengthening the relationship. I had a one to one meeting with President Putin at the Paris Peace Summit, where he told me that he was very happy with the fruitful and successful Delhi summit," he said.

Further touching upon the India-Russia bilateral summit held in the national capital in October this year, Vice President Naidu outlined how eight Memorandums of Understanding were signed during the meetings. "Several outcomes of the summit are being actively pursued by both sides for implementation," Naidu mentioned.

"India and Russia enjoy a great deal of convergence on various international issues. India works closely with Russian Federation in various multilateral organisations and entities such as the UN, BRICS, G-20, SCO, RIC, IPU and many others. Happy to note that leaders of India, Russia and China met in the RIC format on sidelines of recently concluded G20 Summit," the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha said.

He concluded the meeting by wishing the Russian delegation a pleasant stay in India. The delegation later met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss monitoring of the 2019 General Elections.