PM Modi addresses Indian Diaspora in Russian Federation

According to sources, proposal for four Talwar class frigates – stealth warships with guided missiles – were on agenda for summit meeting between Modi and Russian president Vladimir Putin but didn’t find mention in the two countries; joint statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise stopover in Pakistan on Friday to meet his counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, and discuss a range of issues.

In a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for walking past the guard of honour while Indian national Anthem was being played in Moscow, the Congress today said he has “forgotten” what it sounds like due to his frequent foreign visits and the nation was “deeply hurt” over the “unprecedented” incident.

Modi said the number of Russian-built reactors in Kudankulam and at another site would eventually rise to 12, but gave no timeframe.

The character of the ties between the two countries is such that each can rely on the other’s support under any circumstance – something that is rarely seen in global relations.

Reliance Defense, an Indian arms firm, said Thursday that it signed a manufacturing and maintenance deal worth about $6 billion with the Russia’s Almaz-Antey, which produces the S-400 surface-to-air missiles.

“The Inter-Governmental Agreement on manufacture of Kamov 226 helicopter in India is the first project for a major defence platform under the Make in India mission”.

“Any step toward trying to stabilize and provide a new beginning to India-Pakistan ties is welcome and needs to be supported by all those who believe that India and Pakistan have a common destiny and it is in their interest to fight together their common problems, including terrorism and economic under-development”. In the joint press statement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Modi said, “The pace of our cooperation in nuclear energy is increasing”.

On his part, President Putin said that high technology, innovation, energy, aircraft building, pharmaceuticals and diamonds are promising areas for India-Russian cooperation.

Modi said Russian Federation had always stood as “power” beside India and this was a relationship of friendship. “The agreement today will increase Indian manufacturing contents in these reactors”.

They also oversaw the signing of several agreements involving Russia’s state nuclear corporation and the Russian Railways, among others. Modi then traveled to Pakistan to visit its prime minister in a previously unannounced visit. “Even though many Russians have never visited India but they still share a lot of affection towards the country”, said PM Modi. PM Modi arrived at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal Airport at 4:30pm and was received by PM Sharif, his cabinet and family members besides Indian High Commissioner TCA Raghavan. Modi additionally remembered former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee whose birthday falls on December 25.