New Delhi, 5 December (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with Russia, saying both nations are determined to take their bilateral relations to new heights. The statement came during delegation-level talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
Welcoming President Putin to participate in the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, Prime Minister Modi said both countries remain optimistic about deepening their economic and strategic engagement. “India and Russia are committed to advancing their partnership across multiple domains. I am very hopeful about the future of our ties,” he remarked at the opening of the talks.
The two leaders were joined by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Shaktikanta Das, and senior officials from both sides.
Strengthening Global Peace and Cooperation
During the discussions, Modi observed that the world has been grappling with multiple crises since the COVID-19 pandemic, expressing confidence that the international community will overcome the current challenges and move forward on the path of peace and cooperation.
Referring to the ongoing Ukraine conflict, Modi said India has consistently supported dialogue and peace.“President Putin has kept me informed about developments in Ukraine from time to time. The trust between friends matters greatly, and India has always advocated peace,” he noted, expressing hope that global stability will soon be restored.
“Only through peace can the welfare of the world be ensured. We must walk together on the path of harmony,” the Prime Minister emphasized.
Russia Appreciates India’s Role
President Vladimir Putin thanked Prime Minister Modi for his efforts to promote dialogue and seek a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict. He said Russia continues to engage with the United States and other partners in pursuit of a viable solution. “We deeply value India’s balanced position and its constructive role in global affairs. The roots of the Ukraine crisis lie in historical complexities. What matters is not rhetoric, but meaningful, practical steps toward peace,” Putin remarked.
Before the talks, President Putin paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, where he laid a floral tribute and wrote that Gandhi’s message of peace remains timeless. “Mahatma Gandhi’s contribution to world peace cannot be forgotten. His vision of a multipolar world free from dominance and inequality continues to inspire the global order,” read the note in the visitor’s book.
Putin highlighted that these are the same principles of equality, mutual respect, and cooperation that Russia and India uphold together on the international stage.
Strategic and Energy Cooperation Unaffected
President Putin, who arrived in New Delhi on Thursday, was accorded a ceremonial welcome by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan. In an earlier interview, the Russian leader underlined that India–Russia cooperation not only strengthens bilateral ties but also contributes to global stability.He added that political upheavals or the Ukraine conflict have not impacted energy trade or nuclear cooperation between the two countries.
“Oil trade and refining operations remain steady, and Russian companies continue to view their Indian partners as reliable. If the U.S. can purchase nuclear fuel from Russia, there is no reason India should be denied this right — something I intend to discuss with President Trump,” Putin said.
The summit reaffirmed the enduring depth of India–Russia relations, built on mutual trust, strategic convergence, and a shared vision for a balanced, multipolar world.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
