Modi and Putin have a long relationship that goes back almost 25 years. In 2001, Modi had accompanied then PM Vajpayee to Moscow
NEW DELHI: Calling PM Narendra Modi his “friend”, “a reliable person”, “a person of integrity” and a good thing to have happened to India, Russian President Vladimir Putin said though there has been a slight dip in purchase of Russian oil by India, the overall trade remains steady, adding that “Russian oil industry considers its Indian counterparts to be very reliable”.In an interview to India Today TV, recorded before he left for India, Putin said US continues to buy nuclear fuel from Russia for its own power plants, including uranimum for reactors, and asked why India should not have the same privilege to buy oil.Putin highlighted defence cooperation with India, emphasising that his country also shares technology, and citing, among other instances, the joint production of BrahMos. On whether nuclear cooperation is going to be on the table during the talks with Modi Friday, Putin responded in the affirmative and gave the example of Kudankulam nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu while emphasising Russia’s expertise in developing small nuclear power plants — something that India is keen on.PM Modi welcoming Putin at the airport on Thursday was a rare gesture, following which the two travelled in a Japanese SUV, and not the Range Rover Modi uses, to the PM’s residence. Earlier this year in Tianjin, they had a 45-minute meeting in Putin’s car on their way to the venue of their bilateral meeting on the margins of SCO summit.Modi has in the past greeted on the tarmac only leaders he has personally bonded well with, including ex-US presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump (first term), ex-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, French President Emmanuel Macron, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, ex-Japanese PM Shinzo Abe and leaders of Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE.“Delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin to India. Looking forward to our interactions later this evening and tomorrow. India-Russia friendship is a time tested one that has greatly benefitted our people,” Modi posted on X.In the meeting on Thursday, ahead of the annual summit, the two discussed ways to further strengthen the special and privileged strategic partnership, along with regional and global issues. In several rounds of meetings that the two will have over two days, Modi is expected to reiterate his message for an early end to the war as India walks a diplomatic tightrope in its relations with Russia on one hand and US and EU on the other.India is working to sign an FTA with EU next month and has also invited EU leaders for Republic Day celebrations. Brussels would be closely watching the summit on Friday as it doesn’t want to see any outcome that could create friction with India.According to govt sources, the Putin visit will go a long way in strengthening economic co-operation. Putin is travelling with a large group of business persons. Ten govt-to-govt agreements in areas like healthcare, trade, economy, mobility and culture are expected to be signed. India also expects to improve the trade deficit with Russia that has shot up because of India’s oil trade with Russia.
