Regular Contacts Yield Positive Outcomes in India-Russia Strategic Partnership: President Murmu
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Synopsis
President Droupadi Murmu emphasized the significant benefits of regular interactions in the 'India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership' during a meeting with a Russian parliamentary delegation. She highlighted the importance of cooperation among parliamentarians, especially focusing on women and youth, to strengthen bilateral ties.
Key Takeaways
- Positive impact of regular contacts in India-Russia partnership.
- Importance of women and youth engagement in parliamentary interactions.
- Significant role of Inter-Parliamentary Commission for cooperation.
- Increase in bilateral trade by 15% from January to November 2024.
- Ongoing interactions at leadership levels between Modi and Putin.
New Delhi, Feb 3 (NationPress) President Droupadi Murmu stated that the "positive impact" of frequent interactions is clear in the extensive 'India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership', which continues to receive substantial benefits from ongoing engagement at various levels.
During a meeting with a visiting parliamentary delegation led by Chairman of Russia's State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Murmu highlighted the importance of enhancing connections among women and youth parliamentarians of India and Russia.
"In welcoming the delegation to India, President Murmu indicated that such exchanges among public figures not only promote stronger collaboration but also ensure that the partnership remains relevant and current. She reiterated that the positive impact of regular contacts is evident in the broader 'India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership', which continues to significantly benefit from ongoing interactions at various levels," stated an official release from the Rashtrapati Bhavan post-meeting.
The President acknowledged the consistent interactions at the leadership level between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"The cooperation between our parliaments has also been very effective. She pointed out that frameworks like the Inter-Parliamentary Commission have been crucial in facilitating collaboration. Additionally, she stressed the need for heightened engagement between women and youth parliamentarians of both nations," the statement elaborated.
The President informed the delegation about her recent inauguration of the New Delhi World Book Fair on Saturday, where Russia is the 'Focus Country'. She mentioned that this fair provides Indian readers a fantastic opportunity to explore Russia's rich literary heritage and advocated for stronger cultural and artistic collaborations.
Earlier, the visiting delegation, which arrived in India late last night on an official mission to enhance bilateral relations, also toured both houses of the Indian Parliament.
Volodin met with Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar at the Parliament, asserting that India is among Russia's key partners in Asia.
"We share special relations. They are developing based on friendship, non-interference in sovereign states' affairs, and mutually beneficial cooperation," he stated during his meeting with the Vice President.
The Chairman of the State Duma emphasized that leaders from both nations continue to contribute significantly to the advancement of the Russian-Indian dialogue.
"We must legislatively support the decisions made by President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our ties are strengthening, and it is essential to reflect the dynamics existing at the executive level within our parliamentary efforts. It is crucial to develop interactions in the parliamentary sphere to bolster our relationship through our work," Volodin stressed.
He noted that India remains one of Russia's key partners in Asia.
"In the last five years, bilateral trade has quintupled and keeps expanding: from January to November 2024, it surged by 15 percent. This development benefits our citizens and nations," the Chairman of the State Duma remarked.
The Vice President's office reported that discussions encompassed various aspects of the multi-faceted bilateral relationship between India and Russia.
"Both leaders underscored the importance of enhancing parliamentary ties which provide a robust foundation for the overall Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two nations," VP Dhankhar stated in a post on X.
He acknowledged the high level of India-Russia relations, alongside the significant role of parliamentarians in sustaining them.
The Vice President recalled that Prime Minister Modi has visited Russia twice in the last seven months, demonstrating the importance of their strategic partnership.
"Our relations are entering new trajectories; the level of interaction is on the rise. Both nations coordinate their stances on platforms like the UN, BRICS, G20, and SCO to tackle global challenges," the Russian Embassy in India quoted the Vice President as saying during the meeting.
Volodin extended his congratulations to the people of India on Republic Day and also invited Rajya Sabha members to visit Russia.
The Russian delegation accompanying the Duma Chairman includes Deputy Speaker Alexander Babakov, Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) leader Leonid Slutsky, Novye Lyudi (New People) faction leader Alexey Nechayev, Economic Policy Committee Chairman Maxim Topilin, Agrarian Committee Chairman Vladimir Kashin, and Culture Committee Chairwoman Olga Kazakova.
