BRICS Kazan 2024, PM Modi's bilateral with President Putin, hugs, jokes and laughter besides diplomacy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed India's commitment to peaceful conflict resolution during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, specifically addressing the Russia-Ukraine situation. The two leaders greeted each other with a hug on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.
Highlighting the strength of their friendship, President Putin remarked that the connection between Modi and himself is so robust that the Prime Minister would understand him without the need for a translator. "Our relationship is so strong that you will understand me without any translation," Putin said, eliciting laughter in the room at the Governor's Palace.
The long-standing ties between India and Russia have been foundational since India's independence in 1947, bolstered by the personal rapport between Modi and Putin. The two leaders met today in Kazan, where they will participate in the 16th BRICS Summit.
In his remarks, Putin emphasized the importance of their friendship, stating, "In Kazan, we must make several important decisions aimed at enhancing the activities of the association and strengthening our multifaceted cooperation." He expressed appreciation for their partnership, saying, "We greatly value our cooperation in this area, as our nations were at the forefront of establishing the association."
Putin also praised the "privileged strategic partnership" between Russia and India, committing to further deepen their ties. "The interaction between our legislative bodies is strengthening. Our foreign ministers maintain constant communication, and trade turnover remains healthy. The next meeting of the intergovernmental commission is scheduled for November 12 in New Delhi," he noted.
He added, "Major projects are being developed consistently, and we welcome your decision to open the Consulate General of India in Kazan. Expanding India's diplomatic presence in Russia will foster the development of our bilateral relations."
During his opening remarks, Putin highlighted the strong bond between India and Russia and their significant collaboration within BRICS. "Our nations are founding members, and we value the increasing cooperation between our legislatures, the ongoing dialogue between our foreign ministers, and the positive trends in trade," he stated, stressing the importance of making key decisions during the summit to strengthen ties within the BRICS alliance.
In response, Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's stance on peacefully resolving the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, saying, "We remain in constant communication regarding the conflict, and as I’ve previously stated, we believe that issues should be resolved through dialogue and peace."
PM Modi's visit to Kazan was warmly received by Rustam Minnikhanov, the head of the Republic of Tatarstan. The Prime Minister enjoyed local Tatar delicacies, including chak-chak and salted karavai, which he appreciated, calling the experience “A connect like no other!”
The 16th BRICS Summit, under Russia's chairmanship, is being held from October 22 to 24 in Kazan.