The 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit will focus on defense, trade linkages, investment ties, energy cooperation, education, science and technology, culture, and people-to-people connections as the key discussion points. This was stated by Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra during a press briefing in New Delhi on Friday (5th July 2024).
On Prime Minister’s upcoming official visit to Russia and Austria from 8th to 10th of this month, Mr Kwatra said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin will review the entire range of multifaceted relations between the two countries. He said, they will exchange views on contemporary regional and global issues of mutual interest. He said, the leaders will also assess the status of bilateral engagements in grouping including BRICS, SCO, G20, East Asia Summit and the United Nations. Mr. Kwatra said, the issue of early discharge of Indian nationals who have been misled into the service of the Russian army is also expected to figure during the discussions.
The Foreign Secretary said, the Prime Minister will interact with members of the Indian community in Moscow during his visit. He said, India and Russia have a special and privileged partnership which has remained resilient in the wake of multiple geopolitical challenges. On the bilateral trade, Mr Kwatra said, it has witnessed sharp increase in the financial year 2023-24 reaching to 65 billion US dollars primarily due to energy cooperation. He said, Indian import from the Russia is close to 60 billion US dollars while export remained at 4 billion US dollars. He underlined that energy, banking, railways, and steel are the growing areas of partnership. He said, Russia also remained important partner for the country’s energy security and defence.
Speaking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Austria, the Foreign Secretary said, the Prime Minister will travel to Austria during 9th and 10th of this month. He said, this will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to Austria. He said, Mr. Modi will call on President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen and hold talks with Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer. On bilateral ties, Mr. Kwatra said, Austria offers excellent opportunities in bilateral cooperation in areas including infrastructure, renewable energy, and high technologies. He said, bilateral ties between the two countries registered good growth in couple of years.
