Russia: PM Modi reaches Russia, holds 'informal' talks with Putin

PM Modi said ''India and Russia have been friends for a long time. Thankful to President Putin for inviting me for an informal meeting at Sochi''.

PM Modi holds informal summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 21, 2018. Image ANI

New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Russia on Monday on a nine-hour visit for an informal summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. On meeting Putin, Modi said “India and Russia have been friends for a long time. Thankful to President Putin for inviting me for an informal meeting at Sochi” India and Russia now enjoy special privileged strategic partnership, said PM Modi. He said: “Russia played a major role in helping India get a permanent membership in SCO. We are working together on International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and BRICS.

Russia played a major role in helping India get a permanent membership in SCO. We are working together on International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and BRICS: PM Narendra Modi in Sochi #Russia pic.twitter.com/WuVbYPkEDy

— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2018

As Modi arrived in Sochi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted said: "All in 9 hours! Continuing the tradition of high-level visits, PM Modi arrives in Sochi for informal summit with President Putin” "The two leaders will meet with delegation, followed by a private lunch at Bocharev Creek and conclude with tête-à-tête," Kumar had said.

PM @narendramodi off to an early start to #Sochi in Russia for the Informal Summit with the Russian President Putin. The two leaders are expected to discuss steps to cement our already solid partnership over several meetings in the course of the day. @mfa_russia pic.twitter.com/nBDiytBDru

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) May 21, 2018

On Sunday, in a pre-departure message in New Delhi, Modi said his talks with Putin will help further strengthen bilateral ties. "Am confident the talks with President Putin will further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia," Modi stated. The Indian leader's visit comes after National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale visited Moscow earlier this month to discuss a way out of the US sanctions on Russian firms. The sanctions against Russian oligarchs and companies, including Rosoboronexport, the state-owned Russian weapons trading company, has raised concerns in India about a possible impact on India's military buys from Moscow. Putin is expected to visit India later this year for the annual bilateral summit. Modi's visit to Russia also comes after Putin won a fourth term in office in March. Modi and Putin last met in Russia last year. (Inputs from IANS)