India, Russia Bolster Strategic Ties – N.F Times

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Russia on July 8-9, 2024, for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit has resulted in a significant bolstering of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two nations.

During the visit, Russian President Vladimir Putin conferred Russia’s highest civilian honour, the “Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle,” on Prime Minister Modi.

Both the World Leaders released a joint statement following the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit.

Key outcomes of the summit include:

1. Trade and Economic Cooperation: The leaders set an ambitious bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion by 2030, noting the significant growth in trade during 2023. They agreed to prepare a Programme for the development of economic cooperation till 2030.
2. Energy Partnership: Both sides emphasized the importance of long-term contracts in energy resources and agreed to explore new opportunities in coal supply.
3. Defense Cooperation: The countries agreed to expand joint manufacturing of defence equipment in India and establish a new Working Group on Technological Cooperation.
4. Space and Nuclear Cooperation: The leaders welcomed progress in the construction of nuclear power plant units at Kudankulam and agreed to broaden cooperation in space exploration.
5. Cultural and Educational Exchanges: Both sides agreed to promote language learning, tourism, and academic collaborations between universities.
6. International Cooperation: The leaders stressed the need for UN reform and Russia reiterated its support for India’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council. They also emphasized their commitment to BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
7. Counter-terrorism: Both nations strongly condemned recent terrorist attacks and called for an uncompromising fight against international terrorism.
8. Global Issues: The leaders discussed situations in Afghanistan, Ukraine, and the Middle East, emphasizing the need for peaceful resolutions through dialogue and diplomacy.

This summit has reaffirmed the strong ties between India and Russia, demonstrating their commitment to a multi-faceted partnership spanning political, economic, defence, and cultural spheres.