A file photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Given the “very trusting nature” of the relationship between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, no topic is off-limits for the two leaders when they meet here soon, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

The dates of Mr. Modi’s visit to Moscow will be announced a bit later but preparations for it are already in their final stages, Mr. Peskov said.

Mr. Putin and Mr. Modi will discuss regional and global security, trade and all other topics on the agenda during their meeting, Mr. Peskov was quoted as saying by Russia’s state-owned TASS news agency.

“We (Russia and India) jointly take part in integration processes, so regional affairs, regional security and global security are always on top of the agenda. In addition, of course, our bilateral trade and economic interaction is always a focal point,” the Kremlin official said, answering a question on what topics will be discussed at the negotiations between Mr. Putin and Mr. Modi.

‘Trusting nature’ of ties

Describing Prime Minister Modi’s visit as “very important”, the official noted that Moscow and New Delhi have “mutual political will” to develop cooperation in a variety of areas.

“Given the very trusting nature of the relationship between President Putin and Prime Minister Modi, we can expect that there will be an exchange of views on all issues that are on the agenda, and there are many of them,” Mr. Peskov added.

“We will announce this visit officially later, after coordination with our Indian friends, I can only confirm to you once again that the visit is in the final stages of preparation,” he said, replying to a question on the dates of Mr. Modi’s visit to Russia.

Diplomatic sources in New Delhi had said the Indian Prime Minister’s day-long visit is being planned around July 8, adding there is no finality on the date yet and various options are being explored.

Mr. Modi’s last visit to Russia was in 2019 when he attended an economic conclave in the far east city of Vladivostok.

Summit after 3 years

If Mr. Modi travels to Russia, then he and President Putin are set to hold the India-Russia annual summit after a gap of three years.

The annual summit between the Indian Prime Minister and the Russian President is the highest institutional dialogue mechanism in the strategic partnership between the two countries.

So far, 21 annual summits have taken place alternatively in India and Russia.

The last summit was held on December 6, 2021, in New Delhi. Mr. Putin, as head of the Russian state, has visited India nine times.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes U.S. President Joe Biden for the G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, Delhi, on September 9, 2023.
| Photo Credit: Dan Kitwood

The “health of democracy” is an important issue for the India-U.S. relationship, said senior U.S. White House officials, adding that U.S. President Joe Biden raised these issues in every meeting he has held with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Briefing the media after the bilateral meeting on Friday night (September 8) between PM Modi and President Biden, the officials made a reference to the Karnataka State elections, calling Mr. Modi’s public congratulations to the Congress party for its victory in the State, which the ruling BJP lost in May, a “positive indicator” for democracy. 

They said India is “disappointed” that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping did not attend the G20 summit, said senior U.S. White House officials, adding that there was “clear appreciation” that U.S. President Joe Biden travelled to India for it.

G-20 Summit 2023 in New Delhi Live Updates | September 9

On chances for a joint declaration being forged at the end of the G20 summit, the officials said there had been some forward movement, particularly on climate issues in the draft communique, but that the U.S. would remain “purposeful determined and resolute” on the language over Ukraine. As The Hindu had reported on September 8, officials and diplomats said the language on all non-geopolitical issues had been cleared, but Ukraine remains a sticking point with the U.S. and allies ranged on one side and Russia and China on the other. 

“There was a clear appreciation on the part of India that President Biden is here, and that he made the trip,” said Kurt Campbell, the National Security Council’s Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, adding that “I think it is a disappointment for India that both Russia and China (Presidents) are not here”. 

Highlighting the India-U.S.-Saudi Arabia-India infrastructure corridor which now includes the European Union, that is expected to be announced, Mr. Campbell said that talks are still ongoing with all the parties present in Delhi, and this would be a “major breakthrough that would help fundamental delays with respect to infrastructure and communications, from India with the Middle East (West Asia) and then on to Europe. 

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The officials also faced several questions from the U.S. White House Press Corps members on the lack of access for journalists in the press pool to the bilateral meeting and the main G20 venue. Mr. Campbell said that this had been raised with India, and stressed that despite India’s objections, the U.S. had held a press interaction with PM Modi and President Biden during the state visit in Washington in June. 

“I do want to just underscore for you that in every meeting that I’ve been in, the President is very clear about the importance of the health of democracy. He doesn’t do this in such a way that suggests that one country is lecturing to another but rather that we all face shared challenges, and we think it’s important that we’re constantly asking the hard questions about our democracy.” When pressed on whether U.S. concerns over India have led to any “change” in the Modi government, Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher, the NSC Senior Director for South Asia, pointing to recent Karnataka elections, said that Mr. Modi had congratulated the Congress party on the results, although she said the U.S. would not like to ascribe this to its influence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi digitally addresses an event in New Delhi on August 19, 2023.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on August 19 that India’s economy is shining as a beacon of hope in these challenging times.

“With robust growth and resilient spirit, the future looks promising. Let us keep this momentum and ensure prosperity for 140 crore Indians,” he said on X, reacting to news portal Moneycontrol’s ‘Bullish on India’ campaign.

The portal, which specialises in reporting on markets and financial sector, had posted on X that the country’s economy has not just withstood challenges, but thrived setting the stage for optimism.

The ‘Bullish on India’ campaign showcases India’s economic resilience and growth potential in various critical sectors, it said.

It aims to analyse the key drivers of India’s economic growth while fostering awareness about the unparalleled potential the nation offers at a time of a global economic slowdown, the portal said in a separate statement.

“With detailed analysis of macroeconomic factors such as manufacturing, demography, economy, markets and India’s rising stand in the global leadership, ‘Bullish on India’ has been presented as a data backed campaign that underlines India’s resilient economic growth,” it said.

The campaign seeks to analyse key drivers of India’s economic growth while fostering awareness about the “unparalleled potential” the nation offers at a time of a global economic slowdown, it added.

“There are various adversities that have shaken economies worldwide in the past few years. However, India is standing tall, retaining its stature as the ‘world’s fastest-growing major economy’,” it said, noting that the country is set to become the third largest economy in the coming years.