“Special chemistry” with Prez. Putin & is keen on technology transfers
NEW DELHI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has deftly underscored India’s stance on Jammu and Kashmir being a bilateral issue during his Russia visit, without spelling out the matter.
Speaking of a third nation – Afghanistan, during his joint media briefing with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said, “Both Russia and India want to see a strong, stable, and democratic government in Afghanistan… Both Russia and India believe not to interfere in the internal matters of any country and that includes Afghanistan”.
His comments come amid global concern over Kashmir, especially from the US and the UK. While US President Donald Trump has already flagged his concerns, yesterday the UK parliament said any allegations of human rights violations in Kashmir since India ended the state’s special status and bifurcated it, must be “thoroughly, promptly and transparently” investigated.
Russia has backed India’s move on Jammu and Kashmir, saying that the changes in the status are within the framework of the Indian Constitution.”Whenever needed, wherever required, India and Russia has, is and always will stand by each other,” PM Modi said today. “Our cooperation is not just on regional, international, and global cooperation, but we are also cooperating in places like the Arctic and Antarctic.”
PM Modi, who arrived in Russia on a two-day visit during which he will also attend the Eastern Economic Forum, is the first Indian prime minister to visit to the Russian Far East Region.
“This is a historical occasion to give a new dimension to the cooperation between the two countries,” Modi said in his opening remarks at the 20th India-Russia Annual Summit on the sidelines of the EEF, which Russia has hosted since 2015 to boost partnerships with Asian countries.
Modi said Russia is an “integral friend and trustworthy partner” of India as he praised President Putin’s personal efforts on expanding the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries.
In a interview with TASS Modi said “I also look forward to meeting other global leaders attending the EEF , and interacting with Indian Industry and business representatives participating in it,” Modi said.
The forum focuses on development of business and investment opportunities in the Russian Far East Region, and presents enormous potential for developing close and mutually beneficial cooperation between India and Russia in the region.
In an interview with Russia’s state-run TASS news agency ahead of his visit, Modi said he shared a “special chemistry” with President Putin and is keen on technology transfers so that the two sides can make military equipment in India at cheaper rates for export to third countries.
“I am confident that this visit will give a new vector, new energy and a new impetus to the relations between our countries,” Modi said. Russia and India are set to sign about 15 documents, including some in the military-technical sectors, within the framework of the 20th Russian-Indian summit that will take place on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), a Tass report said.
(With Agency Inputs ).
