Modi to leave for Russia today, expanding trade and investment tops agenda

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for Russia today in the afternoon on a two-day visit to attend the 16th Annual Summit.

The summit would take place on December 24.

Briefing media in the national capital, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar said Russian President Vladimir Putin will host dinner for Prime Minister Modi after his arrival in Moscow on 23rd evening.

During his visit, Prime Minister Modi and Vladimir Putin will interact with Indian and Russian CEOs. The two countries will try to expand their economic relations. The Foreign Secretary said expanding trade and attracting investments will be a priority for Indian side. The two sides are also expected to sign a number of agreements in different fields. Jaishankar said the Prime Minister will also address friends of India at the Expo centre in Moscow.

The Foreign Secretary said political and strategic issues will come up for the discussion during the visit. He further said that Russian commitment for India in UNSC is not in doubt and New Delhi is discussing optimal way of reaching out the goal. Replying to a question on situation in Syria, the Foreign Secretary said, at a conceptual level Russia and India, agree that Syrian issue needs to be resolved through political and diplomatic means.