Putin holds informal talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Russian President Vladimir Putin received Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi late on Monday and accompanied him on a tour around his residence outside Moscow ahead of formal talks in the Kremlin on Tuesday.
According to Russia’s official TASS news agency, Putin hugged Modi at his home in Novo Ogaryovo and welcomed him as a dear friend and said he was very happy to see him.
“Our official talks will be held tomorrow, while today in this relaxed and calm atmosphere we can discuss the same issues, but informally,” Putin said.
The Russian president gave Modi, who is making his first visit to Russia in five years, tea, fruit and sweets and took him on a tour of the territory in a small carriage.
The US State Department said Modi’s visit to Moscow and India’s relationship with Russia amid the Russia’s war on Ukraine raised concerns.
India, which has enjoyed close ties with Moscow for decades, refused to condemn Russia over the war, calling instead for an end to the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
Russian state news agencies said Putin and Modi visited the stable attached to the president’s residence and watched a horse show.
A senior Indian official said last week that one of Modi’s top priorities during his visit to Moscow was to repair India’s trade imbalances with Russia and release Indians who fought during the war on Ukraine.
India, which has had relations with Moscow since Soviet times, has increased its purchases of cheap Russian oil to record levels.
