Talks with President Vladimir Putin will strengthen special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia: PM Narendra Modi

PM Modi is travelling to Russia at President Putin's invitation for an informal summit in Sochi.

File photo (PTI)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin would further strengthen the 'special and privileged' strategic partnership between India and Russia.

"Am confident the talks with President Putin will further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia... I look forward to my visit to Sochi tomorrow (Monday) and my meeting with President Putin. It is always a pleasure to meet him," he tweeted.

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

PM Modi is travelling to Russia at Putin's invitation for an informal summit in Sochi on May 21, 2018. It would be his 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.

Sochi - summer diplomatic capital of Russia. Bordered by the Black Sea on one side and mountains on the other. @MEAIndia @mfa_russia @IndEmbMoscow pic.twitter.com/c1dOKwrYSL — Pankaj Saran (@PankajSaran11) May 17, 2018

The two leaders are expected to primarily focus on pressing global and regional issues, including the impact of the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, during their informal summit in the Russian city of Sochi on Monday. They may also deliberate on extending Indo-Russia civil nuclear cooperation to 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.

"It's very important and different kind of meeting between PM Modi and President Putin. The difference is President Putin invited PM Modi to come to visit him and discuss various issues almost within two weeks of him becoming President of Russia for the fourth time. We expect talks to begin at 1 o'clock local time in delegation format followed by lunch hosted by the President just for PM Modi. We expect them to be together for a few hours. It's a great opportunity for the personal chemistry between them to discuss different issues," said Pankaj Saran, Indian Ambassador to Russia.

He added, "They'll also discuss the situation in Afghanistan and Syria, because the whole problem in Syria is related to conduct of international terrorism and it's a problem the region faces. In a few months time, President Putin himself will be travelling to India for the regular summit. This frequency of meetings is another important aspect of our relations with Russia."

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

Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs had said that it will be an important occasion for the two leaders to exchange views on international matters in a "broad and long-term perspective". "Both leaders will also discuss their respective national developmental priorities and bilateral matters," the MEA had said

On reaching, PM Modi will be received by local dignitaries at the airport. He is then scheduled to visit the residence resort of Putin. This will be the first meeting between Putin and PM Modi in 2018. However, since the beginning of the year, the two leaders have had several phone conversations. 

The annual summit talks between the top leadership of the two countries, bound by 'special and privileged strategic ties', have been taking place alternately in Moscow and New Delhi since 2000.

(With PTI and ANI inputs)