Narendra Modi (L) and Vladimir Putin embrace after the latter conferred upon Russia’s highest civilian award, Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, to the former. (Photo via X)
New Delhi: The prime minister, Narendra Modi, concluded his two-day visit to Russia, on Tuesday, strengthening bilateral ties and signing crucial agreements. The visit, seen in a wider geopolitical context, emphasized the enduring friendship between India and Russia.
During his visit, Modi held summit talks with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, at his official residence in Novo-Ogaryovo. The leaders celebrated the India-Russia friendship, with Putin praising Modi’s contributions to India’s progress.
During his visit, India and Russia signed nine memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements. These covered trade, climate, research, and other areas, enhancing cooperation between the two nations.
Modi and Putin also visited the Atom Pavilion in Moscow, highlighting their shared interest in nuclear energy and scientific collaboration.
The foreign secretary, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, revealed that discussions on the India-Eurasian Economic Union trade and Goods Agreement were underway. Both Modi and Putin expressed the need to expedite this agreement in the coming months.
India's oil pact with Moscow, providing global price stability, was also a key highlight of the trip. The visit reaffirmed the strategic partnership between India and Russia, emphasizing shared values and mutual interests.
During his visit Putin honoured Modi with the prestigious “Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle”. This award is the highest civilian decoration in Russia and symbolizes the deep friendship and cooperation between the two nations. The recognition underscores Modi’s significant contributions to strengthening India-Russia relations.
Congratulations to PM Shri @narendramodi Ji on being conferred with Russia's highest civilian award, the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, today.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 9, 2024
This is a glorious honour to the nation, which stands as a testament to the formidable stature attained by Bharat in the global arena… pic.twitter.com/nXvqZnqgEA
Ukraine livid
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, sharply criticized Modi’s visit to Russia. In a post on X, he called Modi’s visit a “huge disappointment” and a “devastating blow” to peace efforts. Zelenskyy’s remarks came on the same day that an alleged Russian missile struck a children’s hospital in Kyiv, resulting in casualties and widespread destruction.
During his visit, Modi held an informal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward to resolve the Ukraine conflict. However, Zelenskyy expressed dismay at seeing the leader of the world’s largest democracy embrace the world’s most “bloody criminal” in Moscow.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 8, 2024
In Ukraine today, 37 people were killed, three of whom were children, and 170 were injured, including 13 children, as a result of Russia’s brutal missile strike.
A Russian missile struck the largest children's hospital in Ukraine, targeting young cancer patients. Many were… pic.twitter.com/V1k7PEz2rJ
Incidentally, this visit took place when Nato leaders were meeting in Washington DC to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the alliance, in which Zelenskyy was also present. During the meeting, Nato leaders vowed full support to Ukraine in its war against Russia.
US expresses concern
The United States raised concerns with India about its relationship with Russia amid Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine after Modi held an informal meeting with Putin. Matthew Miller, who is the spokesman of the US state department, said, “I will look at Prime Minister Modi’s public remarks to see what he talked about, but as I said, we have made quite clear directly with India our concerns about their relationship with Russia.”
Miller further said the US hopes India, or any other country when they engage with Russia, would “make clear” that Moscow should respect the UN charter and Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
After his successful Russia visit, Modi departed for Austria for a one-day visit to the European country.
