India and Russia today exchanged sixteen agreements in areas related to defence, trade, economy, healthcare, academics, culture and media. Addressing a joint press meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that India-Russia friendship will give the strength to face global challenges, and this very trust will enrich the shared future of both nations. He stated that India and Russia have been standing shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism. He reiterated India’s unwavering belief that terrorism is a direct assault on the values of humanity and said global unity is the greatest strength against terrorism.
On Ukraine, the Prime Minister said India has advocated for peace on the Ukraine issue from the very beginning. He welcomed all efforts being made for a peaceful and lasting resolution of this matter. He said India has always been ready to contribute its part and will remain so in the future.
Prime Minister stated that both sides are working towards the early conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union. Mr Modi announced that India will soon be launching a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day Group Tourist Visa for Russian citizens. Mr Modi said the Russian side has decided to adopt the Framework Agreement to join the International Big Cat Alliance.
Prime Minister said both nations will collaborate on training India’s seafarers in polar waters. He remarked that this will not only strengthen cooperation in the Arctic, but also create new employment opportunities for the youth of India. Mr Modi noted that energy security has been a strong and important pillar of the India-Russia partnership. He said the decades-old cooperation in the field of Civil Nuclear Energy has been crucial in giving meaning to shared priorities for Clean Energy. He added that India’s cooperation in Critical Minerals is crucial to ensuring secure and diversified supply chains across the entire world.
Mr Modi said that President Putin’s visit has come at a time when bilateral relations are reaching many historic milestones. He said that in the last ten years, the world has seen many ups and downs, and in the midst of all this, India-Russia ties have stood the test of time. The Prime Minister mentioned that both countries will cooperate closely on urea production. He highlighted that nearly twenty-five years ago, President Putin laid the foundation of the India-Russia strategic partnership. He added that fifteen years ago, in 2010, the partnership was elevated to the level of a Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
