20 Deals in 48 Hours: India-Russia Ties Given Renewed Hope
Narendra Modi arrived in Moscow on a two-day visit, during which he will attend the 16th India-Russia annual summit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Russia for the 16th annual summit between Russia and India. During the two-day visit he met Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian industry leaders. He also visited the National Crisis Management Centre in Moscow.
PM Modi was given a red carpet welcome to Russia.
PM Modi was hosted by President Putin at a private dinner organised at the Kremlin in Moscow, a day ahead of the bilateral meeting.
He then visited the National Crisis Management Centre in Moscow before paying respect at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier.
The bilateral talks were then held by a delegation from both the countries at the Kremlin, Moscow.
According to the joint statement made by Russia and India, the two countries enhanced their defence ties by agreeing to build Kamov 226 helicopters in India.
In another major move, India will also provide sites in two cities to set up 12 nuclear plants.
The Free Trade Agreement between two countries also figured in the bilateral talks between the two countries.
The trade agreement plays a major role for decreasing the strain on the industrial relation between the two countries after the Ukraine crisis.
The much controversial Kudankulam nuclear power plant being built by Russia will be the second Russian-built power plant to be commissioned in India after the one launched in 2014.
He then spoke at the Friends of India event and spoke to a crowd of around 3,000 people.
PM Modi At Friends of India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke at the Friends of India event in Moscow, Russia after making a statement about the bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The event witnessed Indian cultural performances by Russian artists.
Former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpai’s poetry, ‘Geet Naya Gata Hoon’ – sung by legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar – was performed Russian artists.
During the speech, Modi praised Russia’s continued support to India.
He also promoted India’s effort of becoming a manufacturing destination and not just a market. The day ended with an invitation to President Putin to visit India for the next BRICS summit as well as the annual summit.
Read on to find out about the other agreements signed by the two countries and details about PM Modi’s visit.
PM Modi’s Next Stop To Be Kabul?
PM Modi is now scheduled to inaugurate the new Parliament building of Afghanistan in its capital city of Kabul.
The building has been built by India and is a symbol of support for democracy in Afghanistan. It is scheduled to be inaugurated December 31, 2015 by PM Modi.
On Sunday, December 20, a terrorist attack by Taliban – a potent threat in Jalalabad, Afghanistan – was foiled by Afghan security forces. The attack was set to be on the day PM Modi arrived in Kabul, raising security concerns during his visit.
According to a report by the Khaama Press, the Indian government has spent around $2 billion towards socio-economic rebuilding of the state of Afghanistan since 2002.
India to Make Russia’s Kamov 226 Helicopters
India will start manufacturing the Russian Kamov 226
helicopters, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Thursday, after New
Delhi and Moscow signed 16 agreements spanning various sectors at the
conclusion of the annual summit-level meeting.
“The agreement on manufacture of Kamov 226 helicopter in India is the first project for a major defence platform under ‘Make in India’ mission,” Modi said while addressing a joint press conference here with Russian President Vladimir Putin following the annual summit level meeting between the two sides.
Modi said he has great respect and appreciation for the
strategic partnership between India and Russia.
“It has been a source of strength and success for India.”
(IANS)
Modi Addresses at The CEO Summit
After delegate level talks over lunch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi headed next to address the CEOs. The CEO summit is being held in Moscow. Modi pitches in his ambitious project ‘Make In India’ and urges Russia to be a part of this growth story.
India and Russia have strong military ties and Modi wants it beyond that.
Delegation Talks Underway Over Working Lunch
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russia President Vladimir Putin led delegation talks over a working lunch at the Kremlin.
Modi, Putin Restricted Meeting Begins
The 16th Annual Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russia President Vladimir Putin begins at the Kremlin. Vikas Swarup, spokesperson for MEA tweeted that the “restricted meeting” has commenced.
Delegation level talks are under way, reported the PMO.
Prior to meeting Putin, Modi paid tribute to Russia’s soldiers. He laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Modi Headed For Kremlin
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s EMERCOM visit “was a great learning experience” for him.
Modi will be visiting Kremlin for signing key deals with Russian President Vladimir Putin. An interaction with the CEOs is also scheduled.
Twin cultural programmes Abhinandan and Abhivyakti will also be showcased today. Abhinandan is significant because it celebrates the importance of Inter-cultural understanding. Modi too echoed the same.
Abhinandan falls on the eve of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birthday and will comprise performances by 52 artists, mostly Russians.
Abhinandan Itinerary:
- The programme will commence with a Shloka recital and a creative rendering of Vande Mataram by Russian Brahmakumaris.
- Sequence of brief Kuchipudi, Kathak and Dandiya Raas.
- Musical enactment of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s poem “Geet Naya Gata Hoon” rendered by Lata Mangeshkar.
Narendra Modi takes a tour of EMERCOM, a state-of-the-art crisis management facility centre.
PM Modi’s Agenda for Today
10.00 hrs (12.30 IST): Tour of a facility
14.40 hrs (5.10 pm IST): Wreath laying at tomb of unknown soldiers
15.00 hrs (5.30 pm IST): Bilateral annual talks
17.15 hrs (7.45 pm IST): Meeting with CEOs
18.15 hrs (8.45 pmIST): Signing of agreements
18.30 hrs (9 pm IST): Press statements
19.25 hrs (10 pmIST): Friends of India event at Expo Centre
Departure post 9.30 pm for Kabul.
Putin Gifts Gandhi’s Notes, Indian Sword to Modi
A page from Mahatma Gandhi’s diary containing his handwritten notes and an 18th century sword from Bengal has been presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“President Putin also gifted an 18th century sword from Bengal, featuring intricate silver artwork. I thank him for the gifts,” he said after receiving the gifts. Putin presented the items to Modi while hosting him for a tete-e-tete at the Kremlin during which the two leaders touched upon issues of mutual interest for both countries.
Modi Caught In National Anthem Gaffe in Moscow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Russia for a two-day visit on Wednesday. The visit is aimed at strengthening the somewhat strained relations between both the countries. But even before the PM could get out of the airport he made a faux pas that has his detractors on social media excited. Modi accidentally began walking while the India’s national anthem was playing.
Read more about the gaffe and the reactions it got here.
President Vladimir Putin hosted a private tete-a-tete for PM Narendra Modi at the Kremlin.
Red Carpet Welcome for PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Moscow on a two-day visit on Wednesday, during which he will attend the 16th India-Russia annual summit.
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