Modi in Moscow for summit talks with Putin

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived Moscow on Monday on a two-day official visit during which he will hold the 22nd India-Russia annual summit and discuss bilateral ties in addition to regional and global issues. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Denis Manturov received Modi at the Vnukovo-II airport and accorded a ceremonial welcome. Modi is scheduled to co-chair the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit with President Vladimir Putin. During the talks the Indian PM will evaluate all aspects of bilateral ties and explore opportunities to cement cooperation in sectors like defense, trade and energy. Modi's last visit to Russia was in 2019 to attended an economic conclave in the city of Vladivostok. In his departure statement, Modi underlined the importance of ties between the two countries. "The Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia has advanced over the past ten years, including in the areas of energy, s ecurity, trade, investment, health, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges," he said. Modi also said that he will discuss with Russian President ways to play a supportive role for a peaceful and stable region. In his second leg of three day trip, Modi is scheduled to meet Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Karl Nehammer. Modi expressed hope that during his Austrian visit, partnership would be taken "to even greater heights in new and emerging areas of innovation, technology and sustainable development among others." Source: Kuwait News Agency