Modi said: India-Russia friendship is as unwavering as the North Star: Our relations have stood the test of time

PM Modi described the friendship between India and Russia as stable like the North Star. He said, “In the last eight decades, the world has witnessed many ups and downs. Humanity has had to face many kinds of challenges and crises. But amidst all this, the India-Russia friendship has always remained unwavering and stable, like the North Star.”

Modi said that the relations between the two countries have stood the test of time. The PM said that both countries have formulated a strategy for economic cooperation until 2030.  Meanwhile, the Russian President said that Russia will continue to supply oil to India without interruption.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is on a visit to India, was welcomed this morning at Rashtrapati Bhavan with a 21-gun salute. He was then given a Guard of Honour. After that, Putin paid tribute to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, at Rajghat.

Putin-Modi Press Conference Ends
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have concluded their press conference in Delhi.

Initially, the two leaders signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in areas such as trade and agriculture.

MoUs are not legally binding, but are initial documents that set the direction for larger and more formal agreements in the future.

During the press conference, neither leader took questions from the media, but they made the following statements.

Putin says Russia will continue to supply weapons to India
Putin said that for almost fifty years, Russia has been helping the Indian Army with weapons and modernizing it, whether it is the Air Defence Forces, aviation or the Navy. Overall, we are completely satisfied with the results of the talks we have just concluded.

I am fully confident that this visit and the agreements reached here will further deepen the strategic partnership between India and Russia, which will benefit both our countries and the people of India and Russia. Putin says India-Russia business increased by 12% in one year
Putin said that bilateral trade between India and Russia increased by 12% last year. This is a new record in itself. He said that this figure may appear slightly different in different sources, but on average it is approximately 64 billion US dollars.

Putin said that they are estimating that the level of trade will remain equally strong this year as well. Putin said that both countries are ready to take this trade to 100 billion dollars.

Exports from Russia to India

Crude oil accounts for approximately 76% of imports from Russia to India. If other oil and coal are included, it goes up to 85%.

Exports from India to Russia

Medicines, fine chemicals, textiles, tea, coffee, rice, spices, etc.

Nuclear power plant being built with Russia's help
Putin said that Russia and India are jointly building the largest nuclear power plant in India. This is the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (Tamil Nadu). It is one of the largest nuclear projects not only in India but also in Asia.

A total of 6 reactors are being built in this plant. Each reactor will generate 1000 megawatts of electricity. That means that when the entire project is completed, it will provide 6000 megawatts (6 gigawatts) of electricity.

Putin said that three of the six reactors have already been connected to India's energy network. The remaining 3 reactors (Units 4, 5 and 6) are in different stages of construction.

Why is this project special?

It will provide India with clean energy.
It will reduce dependence on coal.
It will increase the availability of electricity in the states of South India.