Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a two-day visit to Russia to attend the 22nd India-Russia summit which was held on July 8 and 9. The world leaders held bilateral talks to review ties between the two nations, including in areas like defence, investment, energy cooperation, education and culture.
Here's what PM Modi's two-day visit looked like:
* PM Modi receives highest civilian honour
PM Modi was conferred with Russia’s highest civilian honour –- Order of St Andrew the Apostle — by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Order was established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great, in honour of Saint Andrew, the first apostle of Jesus, and patron saint of Russia. It was bestowed in a single class and was only awarded for the most outstanding civilian or military merit.
* The bilateral talks
PM Modi officially met the Russian President in Moscow on Tuesday and held extended meetings and private talks with each other. During the meeting, Modi told Putin that a solution to the Ukraine conflict is not possible on the battlefield and peace talks do not succeed amidst bombs, guns and bullets. He also said that the death of innocent children was very painful, a day after a lethal strike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv. “Whether it is war, conflicts, terror attacks, everyone believing in humanity is deeply affected when there is a loss of lives. But even in that, when innocent children are killed, when we see innocent children dying, then it is heart-wrenching and that pain is very horrible,” he said. He made the televised remarks at a meeting with Putin in the Kremlin.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks after being awarded with the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. (Reuters)
Prime Minister assured the world community that India is on the side of peace and the conflict must be resolved through talks.
* Modi interacts with Indian community
The Prime Minister also interacted with the Indian community in Moscow and shared his thoughts on India’s rising global profile and its perception as a ‘Vishwa Bandhu’. During the address, he said, “You all are contributing to new heights in relations between India and Russia... I appreciate the efforts of President Putin towards strengthening the ties between the two countries... We have met each other 17 times so far, all these meetings have led to an increase in trust and respect between us.” He announced the opening of Indian Consulates in Kazan and Yekaterinburg.
* ‘Meeting of two close friends’
On July 8, PM Modi and President Putin held a private meeting at Putin's official residence at Novo-Ogaryovo. MEA in a statement said, “A meeting of two close friends and trusted partners. PM Narendra Modi was welcomed by President Vladimir Putin of Russia at his official residence at Novo-Ogaryovo for a private engagement. An occasion for the two leaders to cherish & celebrate the friendship."
Russia's President Vladimir Putin with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Reuters)
PM is all set to embark on a two-day trip to Austria on Tuesday. This will be the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the country in 41 years.
