India (Commonwealth Union)_ Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister, Denis Manturov, to discuss the ongoing efforts to enhance bilateral relations and the progress made in implementing key agreements between the two countries. The meeting underscored the growing strength of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Accordingly, PM Modi expressed his satisfaction over the advancements in bilateral cooperation, stating, “Glad to meet Russia’s First Deputy PM Denis Manturov today. Happy to see that teams on both sides are working together to implement decisions taken during my recent visits and meetings with President Putin to further strengthen India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”
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The discussions between the two leaders focused on expanding collaboration in several vital sectors, including trade, economics, energy, and connectivity. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) issued a statement noting that both leaders exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in various areas, highlighting the continued efforts to bring the two nations closer together in strategic and economic matters. According to the official statement from the PMO, Prime Minister Modi had welcomed the ongoing joint efforts by teams from both India and Russia to implement decisions made during his recent meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin. PM Modi also extended his warm greetings to President Putin, reaffirming the commitment to further strengthening the partnership between the two countries.
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The meeting comes ahead of a significant event in New Delhi. On Tuesday, Denis Manturov will join India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, for the 25th session of the Intergovernmental Russian-Indian Commission. This session will focus on trade, economic, scientific, technical, and cultural cooperation, with an emphasis on evaluating the progress of current initiatives and exploring new avenues for collaboration. Ahead of the session, Manturov and Dr. Jaishankar also attended the India-Russia Business Forum in Mumbai, where they met with representatives of Indian and Russian businesses. Dr. Jaishankar took the opportunity to highlight the enduring relationship between the two countries, noting that as Russia consciously focused on Asia since 2022, it had opened up many new avenues of cooperation. The ongoing shift toward a more multipolar world, he added, had further solidified India and Russia’s alignment in global affairs.
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In his address, Deputy Prime Minister Manturov emphasized the importance of several key sectors for bilateral cooperation. He outlined initiatives in the transport industry, including the development of unmanned technologies and the transition to alternative fuels. Manturov also highlighted the potential for growth in the nuclear sector, with a focus on high-power turbines, solar and wind generation technologies, and advancements in LNG (liquefied natural gas) technologies. Furthermore, Manturov spoke about enhancing healthcare collaboration between the two countries, particularly in the fields of advanced medicines and medical devices. He also stressed Russia’s ambitions to maintain leadership in nuclear medicine, vaccine production, and the development of cell engineering.
The deepening of ties between India and Russia comes on the heels of Prime Minister Modi’s recent participation in the BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia, where he praised the ongoing partnership between the two nations. In his remarks, Modi described the BRICS Summit as very productive and thanked President Putin and the Russian people for their warm hospitality. Earlier this year, PM Modi also visited Russia for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit, where he and President Putin discussed a wide range of strategic and economic issues. During this visit, PM Modi was honored with the prestigious “Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle” by President Putin, in recognition of his significant contributions to strengthening India-Russia relations. As the two leaders continue to engage at the highest levels, both countries are looking to deepen their collaboration in multiple sectors, setting the stage for a new era of partnership in a rapidly evolving global landscape. The continued strategic dialogue between Indian and Russian leaders signals a robust future for the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.