Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Russian President Vladimir Putin's cottage, ahead of the Indo-Russia talks. The Russian Prime Minister made special arrangements for Modi, who reiterated "Not an era of war" amid the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the latter's residence in Novo-Ogarevo. (Photo: X/@NarendraModi)
Geeta Mohan
New Delhi, India,
UPDATED: Jul 9, 2024
In ShortPrime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of Indo-Russia talks.
In ShortPrime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of Indo-Russia talks.
The private meeting took place at President Putin's private cottage, as discussions concerning global economy took place.
Despite special gestures by Russian President, Prime Minister Modi reiterated. "Not an era of war."
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the latter's Novo-Ogaryovo residence. This private meeting, set against the backdrop of the quaint and historically rich Novo-Ogaryovo, was both a precursor to the upcoming India-Russia summit and an opportunity for the two leaders to reaffirm their countries' longstanding ties.
Diplomatic Discourse: "Not an Era of War"
Prime Minister Modi reiterated a crucial message during his discussions: "This is not an era of war," emphasising the need for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. This stance underscores India's commitment to peace and stability in the region, urging that solutions should emerge from dialogue rather than conflict.
Sources said, that the focus of the visit is the economic agenda (energy, trade, manufacturing, fertilizers), and ‘a solution cannot be found on the battlefield' (regarding the Russia-Ukraine war).
The agenda of Modi's visit was robust, focusing on enhancing economic cooperation across various sectors such as energy, trade, manufacturing, and fertilizers. Both leaders acknowledged that "a solution cannot be found on the battlefield," aligning their approach towards fostering economic resilience and partnership.
Praise and Personal Touches
During their informal meeting, President Putin lauded Modi's leadership and the strides India has made under his governance. The congenial atmosphere was highlighted by personal gestures, such as a ride in a golf cart and a private dinner hosted by Putin for Modi, emphasising the warmth and camaraderie between the two leaders.
This visit marks Modi's first to Russia since the Ukraine invasion, illustrating the critical nature of their discussions. With the West watching closely, the Kremlin has expressed that this visit is viewed with a sense of "jealousy," hinting at the strategic depth of the India-Russia relationship.
Novo-Ogaryovo: A Glimpse into Putin's Residence
The Novo-Ogaryovo, often called Putin's dacha, is more than just a residence- it is a symbol of Russian leadership and has been the venue for many crucial diplomatic engagements. Located in the Moscow Oblast, this site combines luxury with discretion, providing a perfect setting for high-level meetings.
Historically, Novo-Ogaryovo has been associated with Russian leaders since the Soviet era and has evolved to mirror contemporary Russian aesthetics and power. The residence is not just a home but a fortified compound, equipped to host international guests and facilitate top-level confidential discussions.
As Prime Minister Modi's visit continues, the focus will remain on strengthening the India-Russia ties and discussing regional and global developments that impact both nations. The outcomes of this visit are likely to influence the geopolitical landscape, particularly concerning China's regional sway and the broader implications for NATO and its alignment with countries like South Korea and Japan.
This significant meeting not only reaffirms the strong ties between India and Russia but also sets the stage for future collaboration in a world that is rapidly changing geopolitically and economically.
Published By:
indiatodayglobal
Published On:
Jul 9, 2024
India's Modi meets Putin on first Russia visit since Ukraine offensive
Moscow, Russia – India's newly re-elected prime minister Narendra Modi arrived in Moscow on Monday for a two-day visit that aims to balance the country's longstanding relationship with Russia while courting closer security ties with the West. The trip is Modi's first visit to Moscow since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Issued on: 08/07/2024
Moscow, Russia – India's newly re-elected prime minister Narendra Modi arrived in Moscow on Monday for a two-day visit that aims to balance the country's longstanding relationship with Russia while courting closer security ties with the West. The trip is Modi's first visit to Moscow since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Issued on: 08/07/2024
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands during an informal meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence, outside Moscow, on July 8, 2024. © Sergei Bobylyov, AFP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew into Moscow on Monday and warmly hugged President Vladimir Putin on a visit that treads a fine line between maintaining a longstanding relationship with Moscow and courting closer Western security ties.
The visit is Modi's first since Russia launched its campaign in Ukraine and since he was returned to power last month as leader of the world's most populous country.
After meeting Moscow's Indian community, Modi had an informal meeting with Putin at his residence at Novo-Ogaryovo outside Moscow, where the leaders drank tea on a terrace, rode in a golf cart together and visited stables.
The Indian leader told Putin it was a "moment of joy" to visit and thanked him for planning "that we chit-chat here this evening".
"Looking forward to our talks tomorrow as well, which will surely go a long way in further cementing the bonds of friendship between India and Russia," Modi later wrote on X, posting a photo of the leaders hugging.
Moscow remains a key supplier of cut-price oil and weapons to India, but the Kremlin's isolation from the West and blooming friendship with Beijing have impacted its time-honoured partnership with New Delhi.
Western powers have in recent years also cultivated ties with India as a bulwark against China and its growing influence in the Asia-Pacific, while pressuring it to distance itself from Russia.
Modi last visited Russia in 2019 and hosted Putin in New Delhi two years later, weeks before Russia began its offensive against Ukraine.
India has shied away from explicit condemnation of Russia ever since and has abstained on United Nations resolutions censuring Moscow.
But Russia's fight with Ukraine has also had a human cost for India.
Read moreIndia's Modi lands in Russia for first visit since Ukraine war
New Delhi said in February that it was pushing the Kremlin to send back some of its citizens who had signed up for "support jobs" with the Russian military, following reports some were killed after being forced to fight in Ukraine.
The United States on Monday urged Modi to make clear in his talks with Putin that "any resolution to the conflict in Ukraine must... be one that respects the UN Charter with respect to Ukraine's territorial integrity".
Moscow's deepening ties with China have also been a cause for concern.
Washington and the European Union accuse China of selling components and equipment that have strengthened Russia's military industry -- allegations that Beijing denies.
China and India are intense rivals competing for strategic influence across South Asia.
India is part of the so-called Quad grouping with the US, Japan and Australia that positions itself against China's growing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region.
Oil and arms
New Delhi and the Kremlin have maintained a close relationship since the Cold War, and Russia was for a long time India's largest arms supplier.
But Ukraine has stretched Russia's arms supplies thin, forcing India to eye other sources for weapons -- including by growing its own defence industry.
Russia's share of Indian imports of arms has shrunk considerably in recent years, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
At the same time, India has become a major buyer of Russian oil, providing a much-needed export market for Moscow after it was cut off from traditional buyers in Europe.
That has drastically reshaped energy ties, with India saving itself billions of dollars while bolstering Moscow's war coffers.
India's month-on-month imports of Russian crude "increased by eight percent in May, to the highest levels since July 2023", according to commodity tracking data compiled by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
But this has also resulted in India's trade deficit with Russia rising to a little over $57 billion in the past financial year.
From Russia, Modi will travel to Vienna for the first visit to the Austrian capital by an Indian leader since Indira Gandhi in 1983.
(AFP)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew into Moscow on Monday and warmly hugged President Vladimir Putin on a visit that treads a fine line between maintaining a longstanding relationship with Moscow and courting closer Western security ties.
The visit is Modi's first since Russia launched its campaign in Ukraine and since he was returned to power last month as leader of the world's most populous country.
After meeting Moscow's Indian community, Modi had an informal meeting with Putin at his residence at Novo-Ogaryovo outside Moscow, where the leaders drank tea on a terrace, rode in a golf cart together and visited stables.
The Indian leader told Putin it was a "moment of joy" to visit and thanked him for planning "that we chit-chat here this evening".
"Looking forward to our talks tomorrow as well, which will surely go a long way in further cementing the bonds of friendship between India and Russia," Modi later wrote on X, posting a photo of the leaders hugging.
Moscow remains a key supplier of cut-price oil and weapons to India, but the Kremlin's isolation from the West and blooming friendship with Beijing have impacted its time-honoured partnership with New Delhi.
Western powers have in recent years also cultivated ties with India as a bulwark against China and its growing influence in the Asia-Pacific, while pressuring it to distance itself from Russia.
Modi last visited Russia in 2019 and hosted Putin in New Delhi two years later, weeks before Russia began its offensive against Ukraine.
India has shied away from explicit condemnation of Russia ever since and has abstained on United Nations resolutions censuring Moscow.
But Russia's fight with Ukraine has also had a human cost for India.
Read moreIndia's Modi lands in Russia for first visit since Ukraine war
New Delhi said in February that it was pushing the Kremlin to send back some of its citizens who had signed up for "support jobs" with the Russian military, following reports some were killed after being forced to fight in Ukraine.
The United States on Monday urged Modi to make clear in his talks with Putin that "any resolution to the conflict in Ukraine must... be one that respects the UN Charter with respect to Ukraine's territorial integrity".
Moscow's deepening ties with China have also been a cause for concern.
Washington and the European Union accuse China of selling components and equipment that have strengthened Russia's military industry -- allegations that Beijing denies.
China and India are intense rivals competing for strategic influence across South Asia.
India is part of the so-called Quad grouping with the US, Japan and Australia that positions itself against China's growing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region.
Oil and arms
New Delhi and the Kremlin have maintained a close relationship since the Cold War, and Russia was for a long time India's largest arms supplier.
But Ukraine has stretched Russia's arms supplies thin, forcing India to eye other sources for weapons -- including by growing its own defence industry.
Russia's share of Indian imports of arms has shrunk considerably in recent years, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
At the same time, India has become a major buyer of Russian oil, providing a much-needed export market for Moscow after it was cut off from traditional buyers in Europe.
That has drastically reshaped energy ties, with India saving itself billions of dollars while bolstering Moscow's war coffers.
India's month-on-month imports of Russian crude "increased by eight percent in May, to the highest levels since July 2023", according to commodity tracking data compiled by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
But this has also resulted in India's trade deficit with Russia rising to a little over $57 billion in the past financial year.
From Russia, Modi will travel to Vienna for the first visit to the Austrian capital by an Indian leader since Indira Gandhi in 1983.
(AFP)
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