Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the profound challenges faced by the world and humanity over the past five years, marked by the Covid pandemic and subsequent geopolitical uncertainties due to various conflicts. Despite these trials, PM Modi celebrated the enduring strength of India-Russia relations, which he affirmed had remained steadfast amidst global turmoil.
“Food to fuel and fertiliser, the world underwent a huge crisis. However, thanks to the India-Russia friendship, I did not let the farmers of my country face any kind of uncertainty. We remain committed to the interest of farmers and hope to increase partnership with Russia to help them further,” stated PM Modi during his opening remarks at the bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
PM Modi highlighted his longstanding relationship with President Putin, spanning nearly 25 years and including 17 meetings over the past decade.“The fact that this is my sixth visit to Russia shows how the partnership between the two countries has deepened over the years,” he said.
Addressing the issue of terrorism, PM Modi expressed solidarity following recent attacks in Dagestan and Moscow’s Crocus City Hall. “India has been facing the issue of terrorism for the last 40-50 years. We know how horrible it can really be. So, when the terror attacks took place in Moscow and in Dagestan, I could well imagine the pain it would have caused. India strongly condemns all kinds of terrorism,” he emphasized during the final day of his visit to Moscow.
Under PM Modi's leadership, the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia has flourished, encompassing energy, security, trade, investment, health, education, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges over the past decade. Despite regional changes catalyzed by the Russia-Ukraine conflict since 2022, the bilateral relationship has remained robust amid global geopolitical challenges.
New Delhi's relationship with Moscow has maintained resilience, underscored by PM Modi's consistent advocacy that solutions must prioritize human life and avoid escalating hostilities or violence.
“Be it war, conflicts or terror attacks, anyone who believes in humanity is moved and pained when lives are lost. More so when innocent children are murdered, to see them dying is heart-wrenching and unimaginable. I held a detailed discussion on this with you over this,” PM Modi conveyed, addressing recent tragic events without explicitly referencing Monday’s bombing of a children’s hospital in Ukraine’s capital.
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