Are India-Russia 'special relations' truly non-partisan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- India-Russia relations are deeply rooted in trust.
- Both countries are committed to enhancing economic cooperation.
- Tourism exchange between India and Russia is on the rise.
- Discussions included addressing the Ukraine conflict.
- The partnership is widely supported by the citizens of both nations.
Tianjin (China), Sep 1 (NationPress) Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Monday that Moscow and New Delhi are actively enhancing their diverse bilateral partnership, which is characterized as completely non-partisan and supported by the citizens of both nations.
“Russia and India have fostered special relations for many years – friendly and trustworthy. This foundation is crucial for the future development of our relations, which are fundamentally non-partisan and embraced by the vast majority of the populations in our countries,” Putin remarked during a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit held in Tianjin, China.
In their discussions, both leaders explored avenues for bilateral cooperation in sectors such as economic, financial, and energy, expressing their contentment with the ongoing growth in these areas.
“It is significant that our meeting is occurring on the margins of the SCO summit, an organization that facilitates the collaboration of leaders from the Global South and East, aiming to establish an architecture of equal and indivisible security across Eurasia,” the Russian President noted.
“Dear Mr. Prime Minister, dear friend! December 21 marks 15 years since the Joint Statement was adopted, recognizing the development of our relations as a special privileged strategic partnership. It is evident that our multifaceted Russian-Indian relations are advancing based on these principles,” he added.
Putin emphasized that a multi-layered interaction has been forged between the two countries, with trade and economic cooperation reflecting positive trends.
“Tourism exchange is flourishing. We are coordinating our efforts in international platforms such as the UN, BRICS, the Group of Twenty, and, naturally, the SCO. Today presents a wonderful opportunity to discuss the key objectives for furthering our bilateral cooperation across various domains,” he stated.
As per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders also addressed regional and global matters, including the recent happenings regarding Ukraine. Prime Minister Modi reiterated his support for the recent initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine, stressing the importance of hastening a cessation of hostilities and pursuing a long-lasting peace agreement.
During their interaction, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Prime Minister Modi expressed his eagerness to host President Putin in India for the upcoming 23rd Annual Summit later this year.