According to Russia's TASS news agency, Russian President Vladimir Putin cordially welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his home in Novo-Ogaryovo, referring to him as a close friend and expressing happiness over their meeting. Putin gave Modi a cozy welcome, complete with tea, berries, and sweets, before their official talks the next day. The leaders had casual conversations over a range of topics.
Putin took Modi on a tour of the home grounds on a motorized cart during his first visit to Russia in five years. To emphasize the intimate aspect of their encounter, they went to the stable and saw a horse performance. The visit highlights the long-standing tight ties between Russia and India, even in the face of international worries over Russia's conflict with Ukraine.
The United States has called on New Delhi to reevaluate its position on the conflict in Ukraine, noting that it did not denounce Russia’s actions but urged for peace through negotiations on hostilities. This diplomatic balancing act symbolizes the time-tested relations between India and Moscow that date back to Soviet times.
Achieving the release of Indian nationals who are allegedly implicated in the crisis in Ukraine and resolving India's economic deficit with Russia are major targets for Modi's visit. The strategic importance of the two countries' bilateral relationship is shown by India's sharp growth in its imports of Russian oil in the face of changing global economic conditions.
