The Author is Former Director General of Information Systems and A Special Forces Veteran, Indian Army

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Russia on July 8-9, 2024 for the 22nd India–Russia Annual Summit at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prime Minister Modi was hosted to a private dinner by President Putin. Both leaders held detailed discussions on wide ranging issues and reviewed the bilateral partnership. Prime Minister Modi also met the Indian Diaspora in Moscow.

President Putin conferred Russia's highest civilian honour the "Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle" (instituted in 2019) on Prime Minister Modi for distinguished contribution to developing the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership and friendly ties between peoples of both countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Russia on July 8-9, 2024, for the 22nd India–Russia Annual Summit at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin

During the bilateral and delegation-level discussions, both leaders appreciated the time-tested India-Russia relations based on trust, mutual understanding and strategic convergence, as also agreeing to make all efforts to optimise full potential of the strategic partnership. Both appreciated bilateral cooperation of foreign offices in UN-related, counter-terrorism, consular, property matters as also regional/global issues of mutual interest, plus inter-parliamentary cooperation and between National Security Advisors.

With bilateral trade in 2023 double the target of $30 billion set for 2025, both leaders agreed to set the bilateral trade target of $100 billion by 2030 and directed chalking out a programme for India-Russia economic cooperation till 2030, overall coordination of which will be of the IRIGC-TEC. Both leaders agreed to explore India-Russia FTA. India invited Russian businesses to set up manufacturing facilities in Greenfield industrial cities under India's Industrial Corridor programme. Russia invited Indian investors in high-tech investment projects in Russia's Far East.

President Putin conferred Russia's highest civilian honor, the "Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle," on Prime Minister Modi for distinguished contributions to developing the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership and friendly ties between the peoples of both countries

Both leaders agreed to increase infrastructure capacity, including implementation of the Chennai-Vladivostok (Eastern Maritime) Corridor and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), and using potential of the Northern Sea Route. Both agreed to boost the bilateral energy partnership, broaden cooperation in nuclear power; fuel cycle, life cycle support for operating KKNPPs and non-power applications. In space both sides agreed to explore cooperation in rocket engine development, production and use.

India-Russia military cooperation is reorienting to joint research, co-development and joint production of advanced defence technology/systems. Both sides confirmed commitment to maintain momentum of joint military cooperation and agreed to encourage joint manufacturing in India of spare parts, components, aggregates and other products for maintenance of Russian origin arms and defence equipment under 'Make in India' programme through transfer of technology (ToT). Just before Prime Minister Modi's Russia visit it was announced that Russia's 'Mango' missiles will be made in India for the T-72 and T-90 tanks.

Both leaders agreed to set the bilateral trade target of $100 billion by 2030 and directed the creation of a programme for India-Russia economic cooperation until 2030

Both sides reiterated importance of reinvigorating multilateralism, United Nations' role in world affairs, respect for international law, non-interference in internal affairs of member states, and called for comprehensive reform of the UNSC. Russia reiterated its support for India's permanent membership of UNSC. Both sides appreciated the New Delhi G20 Leaders' Declaration under India's presidency, stressed the importance of BRICS, commitment to success of the 16th BRICS Summit in October 2024 in Kazan (Russia), and continued cooperation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Both leaders unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and strongly condemned terrorist attacks in India and Russia; called for uncompromising fight against international terrorism under international law, UN Charter and implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Both sides reaffirmed commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation in combating transnational organised crime, countering money laundering, terrorist financing and drug trafficking.

Both sides appreciated close coordination on Afghanistan and advocated Afghanistan as an independent, united and peaceful state free from terrorism, respect basic human rights and emphasised importance of the Moscow Format meetings on Afghanistan. Both leaders highlighted the need for peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict including engagement between both parties. They also expressed concern on the situation in the Middle East, especially Gaza, and called for implementation of relevant UN/UNGA resolutions; reaffirming their support for Palestine's full membership in the UN.

Both sides reiterated cooperation in regional and international fora and groupings; reaffirming commitment to further strengthen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Nine MoUs/Agreements signed during Prime Minister Modi's visit.

Both sides reiterated cooperation in regional and international fora and groupings; reaffirming commitment to further strengthen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Nine MoUs/Agreements signed during Prime Minister Modi's visit included:

1. Cooperation in trade, economic and investment Russia's Far East (2024-2029) and in Russia's Arctic zone;
2. Cooperation on climate change and low-carbon development;
3. Cooperation in state registration, cadastre and cartography;
4. Cooperation in polar environment study, joint research and participation in international projects in polar region;
5. Cooperation in field of broadcasting;
6. Cooperation in availability of high-quality medicines for humans;
7. Cooperation in facilitating settlement of commercial disputes;
8. Joint Investment Promotion Framework Agreement;
9. Facilitating Russian investment in the Indian market.

A joint statement was issued following the bilateral summit. Prime Minister Modi thanked President Putin for the hospitality extended to him and invited him to visit India in 2025 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.

Reacting to Prime Minister Modi's Russia visit, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said America hopes India makes clear Ukraine's sovereignty is respected. But Miller forgets Russia was forced to launch special military operations in Ukraine following the 2014 US-contrived coup in Kiev and NATO expansion; reversing written promise given by US Secretary of State James Baker to Mikhail Gorbachev, Chairman of Soviet Union in 1990 that NATO will not extend one inch to the East of unified Germany. Miller also forgets America doesn't respect India's sovereignty over Kashmir.

Both sides reiterated the importance of reinvigorating multilateralism, the United Nations' role in world affairs, respect for international law, non-interference in internal affairs of member states, and called for comprehensive reform of the UNSC

Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X: "It is a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world's largest democracy hug the world's most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day." He was referring to Prime Minister Modi hugging President Putin, as Ukraine accused Russia for striking the hospital in Kiev with four children casualties. Russia denies targeting Kiev hospital, saying damage was caused by a Ukrainian missile. But Zelensky forgets, playing geopolitical prostitute to Washington, he has devastated Ukraine and thousands of Ukrainians killed including more than 1,400 children. Also, the West is impervious to more than 14,000 children killed and 21,000 children missing in Gaza.

The US is riled with Prime Minister Modi's Russia visit because it snubbed US calls to isolate President Putin and Russia. It also coincided with the NATO summit in Washington where the POTUS Joe Biden proclaimed, "Ukraine can and will defeat Russia." It is well known that the Russia-Ukraine ceasefire worked out within three months of commencement of hostilities was sabotaged by then UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, apparently on America's orders.

The US is riled with Prime Minister Modi's Russia visit because it snubbed US calls to isolate President Putin and Russia

Some analysts say Modi's visit to Russia is a signal to China, which is ludicrous; Russia and China are strategic allies. Also, Russia has been signaling that Moscow can handle the India and China relationships independently of each other. Indian participation in QUAD will remain an irritant to Russia and China although India maintains its Indo-Pacific approach is not focused on any country. India sought early discharge of Indians as support staff in the Russian army but Russia didn't question how Indian-made artillery ammunition landed up in Ukraine.

Finally, the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership is destined to grow stronger; with commitment from both sides to take this time-tested relationship to greater heights.