PM Narendra Modi meets Vladimir Putin in Sochi, hails Indo-Russian friendship

The annual summit talks between the top leadership of India and Russia have been taking place alternately in Moscow and New Delhi since 2000.

Pic courtesy: PIB

Sochi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met Vladimir Putin in Russia's Black Sea coastal city Sochi. "India and Russia have been friends for a long time. Thankful to President Putin for inviting me for an informal meeting at Sochi." PM Modi told the Russian President. "India and Russia now enjoy special privileged strategic partnership," he added. 

#WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Russian President #VladimirPutin in Russia's Sochi pic.twitter.com/LKy98uiPc7

— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2018

Relationship characterised by deep trust, mutual respect and immense goodwill! Russian President #Putin warmly welcomed PM @narendramodi at Bocharev Creek in #Sochi ahead of the delegation-level talks. pic.twitter.com/dOKaHE61VV — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) May 21, 2018

And this is how close friends meet! PM @narendramodi with Russian President Putin on his arrival at Bocharev Creek in #Sochi for the bilateral meeting. Pictures reflecting our deep and long standing ties! pic.twitter.com/dt5lty2K6D — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) May 21, 2018

Boat ride on the Black Sea! PM @narendramodi and Russian President #Putin had plenty to discuss as they sail together from Bocharev Creek to Olympic Park in #Sochi. @IndEmbMoscow pic.twitter.com/20bPWGzBip

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) May 21, 2018

PM @narendramodi reached Sochi, where he will take part in an informal summit with President Putin. pic.twitter.com/0FDg6TluAC — PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 21, 2018

PM @narendramodi off to an early start to #Sochi in Russia for the Informal Summit with the Russian President Putin. The two leaders are expected to discuss steps to cement our already solid partnership over several meetings in the course of the day. @mfa_russia pic.twitter.com/nBDiytBDru — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) May 21, 2018

"Greetings to the friendly people of Russia. I look forward to my visit to Sochi tomorrow and my meeting with President Putin. It is always a pleasure to meet him," PM Modi had tweeted on Sunday before embarking on his trip. "Am confident the talks with President Putin will further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia," he had added.

Greetings to the friendly people of Russia. I look forward to my visit to Sochi tomorrow and my meeting with President Putin. It is always a pleasure to meet him. @KremlinRussia_E @PutinRF_Eng — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 20, 2018

Am confident the talks with President Putin will further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia. @KremlinRussia_E @PutinRF_Eng — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 20, 2018

The issues on the table may include economic impact on India and Russia in the wake of the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, the situation in Afghanistan, Syria, the threat of terrorism and matters relating to upcoming SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) and BRICS summits. 

There have been apprehensions that the US decision on Iran deal may adversely impact New Delhi's oil import from the Persian Gulf nation as well as on the Chabahar port project, PTI reported. Iran is the third largest supplier of crude oil to India after Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

The countries having financial dealings with Iran are expected to be hit by the comprehensive sanctions regime announced by the Trump administration after withdrawal from the nuclear deal.

The US had imposed sanctions on Russia earlier this year under CAATSA for its military intervention in Ukraine and alleged meddling in the 2016 US Presidential elections.

The two leaders may also deliberate on extending Indo-Russia civil nuclear cooperation in third countries, possible areas for cooperation for the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) project, India's engagement with five-nation Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the situation in the Korean peninsula.

Preparations are on for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Sochi for talks with President Putin on May 21. The India-Russia agenda is vast and of practical relevance to both countries. A vital partnership in today's world. @MEAIndia @mfa_russia @IndEmbMoscow @IndianDiplomacy — Pankaj Saran (@PankajSaran11) May 15, 2018

It's very important & different kind of meeting b/w PM Modi & President Putin. Difference is President Putin invited PM to come to visit him & discuss various issues almost within 2 weeks of him becoming President of Russia for 4th time: Pankaj Saran, Indian Ambassador to Russia pic.twitter.com/CSFFzbt5JY — ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2018

We expect talks to begin at 1 o'clock local time in delegation format followed by lunch hosted by Pres just for PM. We expect them to be together for a few hrs. It's great opportunity for personal chemistry b/w them to discuss different ssues: Pankaj Saran, Indian Envoy to Russia pic.twitter.com/GEscu6cXRY — ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2018

In a few months time President Putin himself will be traveling to India for the regular summit. This frequency of meetings is another important aspect of our relations with Russia: Pankaj Saran, Indian Ambassador to Russia pic.twitter.com/nJFhVU8WEU — ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2018

They'll also discuss situation in Afghanistan & Syria, because whole problem in Syria is related to conduct of international terrorism & it's a problem the region faces: Pankaj Saran, Indian Ambassador to Russia on PM Modi's informal summit with President Putin in Sochi on May 21 pic.twitter.com/7Tzs0UBRBQ — ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2018

Excerpts from Ambassador's @PankajSaran11 interview to @ANI on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Sochi. Ambassador spoke about nuclear cooperation between both countries. @RusEmbIndia @IndianDiplomacy @mfa_russia @Russia @kommersant @tassagency_en pic.twitter.com/Pq2ui0aTWY — India in Russia (@IndEmbMoscow) May 20, 2018

It would be PM Modi's second informal summit in as many months as he held talks with Chinese President Xi Jingpin in China's Wuhan in a similar format in April 2018.

The annual summit talks between the top leadership of the two countries have been taking place alternately in Moscow and New Delhi since 2000. 

(With PTI inputs)