Narendra Modi stops over in Afghanistan after signing 16 deals with Russian Federation

The Prime Minister also mentioned about death of a Russian pilot in downing of a Russian plane on the Syrian border.

In an obvious reference to Pakistan, Modi said there were “some who did not want us to be here”. Both had notched up visits to 23 countries, but with the current visit to Russia, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Modi has an edge. “And, in a changing world, your leadership has kept our relations on a steady course of progress and growth”.

Earlier Friday, in his speech to the Afghan parliament, Modi urged closer cooperation between India, Pakistan and other neighbours for Afghanistan’s progress. Interestingly, even as the above television news channel and others as well recorded the slight the commentary did not reflect the grave error made by the Prime Minister of India.

Earlier in the day, Modi laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a war memorial dedicated to the Soviet soldiers killed in the World War II.

It is Modi’s first visit to Pakistan and the first trip by an Indian prime minister to the country in 11 years. Such talks have been taking place alternately in Moscow and New Delhi since 2000.

Putin, on his part, expressed happiness over two countries going ahead “consistently and confidently” in developing the privileged strategic partnership.

“India and Russian Federation have a long history of cultural relations”. Russian Federation has always been with us in hard times.

Today, Modi tried to correct that impression. There was a hand stretched out in friendship as well when Modi visited China in May. “This is very clearly understood and accepted by Russian Federation”.

“We believe that India is a great power that conducts a balanced and responsible foreign policy and is one of the most worthy candidates for taking the seat of a permanent member on the U.N. Security Council”, Putin said.

“The main task now is to involve all potential for diversification of Russian-Indian ties, actively promote projects in such areas as high technologies, innovations, energy, aviation and machine building, medicine, diamond industry”, Putin said.

The construction of the third and fourth plants were expected to start from next year, while details of another two were under discussion, Putin said. Delhi and Moscow, however, sought to initiate a process to promote cultural and people-to-people links at the annual summit.

Over three hours today, Modi tried to make up for that silence. This will be the Prime Minister’s second meeting with Mr Sharif within a month.

The two leaders met Wednesday evening for a one-on-one dinner chat that was closed to press and held in the company of only their translators, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

According to Putin, trade turnover between Russian Federation and India is sliding now, which is related to external factors, such as fluctuations of demand and volatility of currencies.

“Nationalism BJP/Modi “Ishtyle”. Any comments from Modi Acolytes?” “We both believe in a political resolution by Syrians to the Syrian crisis”.