Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a private meet at his official residence at Novo-Ogaryovo. During the meet, Putin praised Modi's contributions to India's progress.
"I would like to congratulate you on your reelection as prime minister. I believe that is not a coincidence; it is the fruit of many years of labor by you personally," Putin said to Modi during their informal meeting at a residence outside Moscow.
"You have your own ideas and a lot of energy, enabling you to achieve results for the benefit of India and its people," Putin continued. "The result is obvious—India is now firmly holding the position of the world's third-largest economy," he added, according to the state-run Tass news agency.
Putin recognized Modi's lifelong commitment to public service, which he felt.
Modi, as the two leaders sat down to a cup of tea in this informal meeting, shared his thoughts regarding the recent elections in India: "The people of India gave him a chance to serve the Motherland." Putin replied, "You have spent your entire life serving the Indian people; they feel it."
Modi backed this emotion, saying, "You are right, I have only one goal: It is the people and my country," with a smile, according to the Tass report.
In a post on X, Modi thanked President Putin for the hospitality extended to him at Novo-Ogaryovo: "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.
The Ministry of External Affairs called the private meeting "an encounter between two close friends and trusted partners." "PM @narendramodi welcomed by President Vladimir Putin of Russia at his official residence at Novo-Ogaryovo for a private engagement," it tweeted, sharing pictures of the meeting.
The ministry termed the occasion one for the two leaders to cherish and celebrate the India-Russia friendship.
This would be Modi's first visit to Russia since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. He traveled Tuesday to Russia for summit talks with Putin. It was one of the most geopolitically sensitive visits by Modi.
As Modi landed in Moscow, he took to Twitter to say that he looked forward to deepening the bilateral partnership in new areas, adding that he had no doubt that stronger India-Russia ties would "greatly benefit our people."
Modi also reiterated, in his departure statement, India's commitment to the cause of supporting a peaceful and stable region. The Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov received him at the Vnukovo-II airport.
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