St. Petersburg. Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised India’s growing global stature and strengthening economy under PM Narendra Modi. “Our special strategic partnership is gaining momentum, getting stronger, which we are happy about. We are happy that India is getting stronger as a nation and its economy is growing. This success has been achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi,” Putin said during his meeting with India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval in St Petersburg.
Recalling Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Moscow in July this year, Putin said that the historic visit was very successful and the work that followed was progressing very meaningfully and at the same pace that Prime Minister Modi and he had agreed upon.
NSA Doval has visited St Petersburg for a meeting of top security officials of BRICS member countries. Russia, the current chair of the group, will host the annual BRICS summit from October 22-24. Moscow has invited around 36 foreign leaders to Kazan.
Putin said, security issues have always been and will remain our priorities. We are grateful to you for coming to St. Petersburg. Last year, this meeting took place in Moscow. We are grateful for the support of this dialogue from the Indian side.
The Russian President said, We are waiting for PM Modi in Kazan. I propose to hold a bilateral meeting in Kazan on October 22. The meeting will summarise the joint work we have done to implement the agreements reached during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Moscow and outline the prospects for the near future.
Putin said, Please convey my best wishes and congratulations to my good friend PM Modi.
In July, the Russian President had also described Prime Minister Modi as his good friend and honoured him with Russia’s highest civilian honour, the Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called.
NSA Doval in his address thanked the Russian President for providing the rare opportunity to meet in person.