Indo-Russian Relations
Daily coverage of what makes ties between Delhi & Moscow ever-lasting — even in times of western sanctions.

Modi Says Would Be Glad to Host Putin in India: Speaker of Russian Federation Council

13:09, 14 October 2023
© Photo : Russian Federation Council
A delegation of the Russian parliament led by Valentina Matvienko is visiting India from 12 to 14 October to take part in the parliamentary forum (P20) of the G20 countries.
Sputnik
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Russia's Speaker of the Federation Council, Valentina Matvienko, that he would be glad to host the Russian President Vladimir Putin in India.

Mr Modi said that he would be glad to see Vladimir Putin in India", Matvienko told media after meeting with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) Om Birla on Saturday.

The Indian PM also expressed his interest in deepening relations between the two countries.

"He also emphasised that the active development of our cooperation in the energy sector, in the agricultural sector, in the technical field, and in a number of other areas - and confirmed his interest in further deepening Russian-Indian relations," the chairwoman said.

Matvienko also wanted to point out that Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is waiting for his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, to visit Russia. She also invited Birla on behalf of Russia's State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin.

Russia Invites India To BRICS

"Next year Russia will chair the BRICS. We will also hold a BRICS parliamentary [forum]. We invite you to take part in advance, we will also try to arrange it at a high substantive organisational level. But, whatever level you set even though it is difficult for us to achieve, we will try," the politician concluded.

Potential of Trade Turnover Between India, Russia is Much Bigger Than The $50Bln Now

The chairwoman also noticed that the potential trade turnover with India far exceeds the present $50Bln of mutual trade.

"Our trade and economic cooperation has been developing very actively recently. Mutual trade turnover has grown fivefold over the past year-and-a-half, an unprecedented amount. It used to be about $10Bln, now it is already about $50Bln in mutual trade turnover. The potential of our countries is much bigger, we should continue active interaction in this field," Matvienko said during her visit to India.

A few years back, the trade turnover between India and Russia was $10Bln, which increased to $30Bln by 2022 and is expected to touch about $50Bln in 2023.

"It seems to me that the role of the parliaments of our countries should be more active - including in implementing the agreements that are reached at the highest level between Russian President Vladimir and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi - meaningful, aimed at mutually beneficial and respectful cooperation," the politician added.

Matvienko also held talks with India's Vice-President and Chairman of the Upper House (Rajya Sabha) Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday.
The Russian Speaker thanked Dhankhar for the excellent organization of the G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit (P20).
She highlighted that India remains one of Russia's key partners in Asia, and at present Moscow and New Delhi are conducting a multi-level confidential political dialogue, which is based on regular contacts between the leaders of the two countries.
Both politicians discussed opportunities for strengthening the unique and privileged strategic partnership in the legislative dimension.

"I believe that one of the most important responsibilities of our Parliaments is to support and ensure implementation of those agreements that are reached at the highest level," Matvienko stressed.

Both politicians also touched upon the activities of Friendship Groups created in both Parliaments.
Dhankhar praised the work of the inter-parliamentary commission, and stressed that launching the newly created Friendship Group in the Lower House of the Indian Parliament will pave the way for better interaction between the countries.

Energy Cannot Be Used As Geopolitical Weapon: Matvienko

Russia's principles of global energy dialogue are justice, non-discriminatory and based on equal cooperation, Matvienko said.
Energy cannot be used as a geopolitical weapon, a means of blackmail or hindering development, the Speaker of the Federation Council emphasised while delivering an address to a session on green energy at the P20 held in New Delhi on Saturday.
Matvienko stressed that the transition to “green energy” is largely hampered by the attempts of separate states to monopolise and politicise this topic.
She noted that investigations of such acts are conducted behind closed doors for political reasons.

“So-called sanctions - in essence, instruments of economic pressure with political goals, ie unfair competition, weaponisation of advantages in the areas of technology, transportation, insurance, etc - have a disastrous effect on the market. This is a dead-end path, and, ultimately, those who impose sanctions suffer from them themselves,” Matvienko said.

Russia is aware of its responsibility in the field of global energy security and is ready to provide the world with cheap and clean energy if artificial barriers to consumers are not erected, the Federation Council's Speaker said.
Matvienko also reminded listeners that Russia is promoting the environmental agenda through parliamentary diplomacy, adding that the Federation Council is organising the Nevsky International Ecological Congress, an important platform for the exchange of experience in environmental legislation.
She also invited her colleagues to participate in the Nevsky International Ecological Congress.
Political Affairs
India's Modi Urges World Leaders to 'Define Terrorism To Deal With It Effectively'
13 October 2023, 19:24
Indo-Russian RelationsIndiaVladimir PutinValentina MatvienkoRussiaBRICSRajya SabhaMoscowNarendra ModiG-20India G-20 PresidencyIndian parliamentBRICS expansiontrade corridorRupee-Rouble tradeeconomicsNew Delhigreen energy
Discuss