India-Russia Economic Ties and Upcoming Summit Highlighted by EAM Jaishankar

India-Russia Economic Ties and Upcoming Summit Highlighted by EAM Jaishankar

Asian News International International | July 4, 2024 | 11:05 PM IST | Breaking News, India, Russia, World | Follow on Google News

India-Russia Economic Ties and Upcoming Summit Highlighted by EAM Jaishankar

India-Russia Economic Ties and Upcoming Summit Highlighted by EAM Jaishankar

Key Points:

1. Economic relationship between India and Russia has grown significantly.
2. PM Modi and President Putin to meet at the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit.
3. Discussions to include the issue of Indians stranded in the conflict zone.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the strengthening economic relationship between India and Russia and the importance of resuming annual summits between the two nations. Speaking at the SCO Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, Jaishankar highlighted that the upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin will be a crucial opportunity to review and enhance bilateral ties.

Jaishankar pointed out that the annual summits had been delayed but stressed the commitment to reinstate this tradition. “There was a bit of a delay in our annual summits. It is a good tradition. We are two countries with a strong history of working together,” he said.

Prime Minister Modi will visit Russia from July 8-9 to attend the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit, where he and President Putin will review the multifaceted ties between the two countries. Following this, Modi will visit Austria from July 9-10, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Austria in 41 years.

Jaishankar also addressed the issue of Indians stranded in the conflict zone in Russia during his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He raised concerns about Indians being pressed into service with the Russian Army, describing the situation as unacceptable. Jaishankar stressed the need for cooperation from Russia to ensure the safe return of these individuals.

“I told him (Lavrov) that we seek their cooperation and that they are our friend and partner. We have to find a way so that these people can return to India as quickly and effectively as possible,” Jaishankar stated. He assured that the Ministry of External Affairs is in ongoing communication with the Russian Defence Ministry to address the issue.

Notably, around 20 Indians were allegedly misled into joining the Russian Army in the conflict against Ukraine under the guise of lucrative job offers. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) earlier this year uncovered a major human trafficking network involved in this scam. Jaishankar vowed to continue efforts until all affected Indians are safely back home.

In his meetings with other international counterparts, Jaishankar received best wishes for Prime Minister Modi’s third consecutive term and expressed optimism about further strengthening India’s relationships with various countries. “With some people, it was a courtesy (meeting) and with some, it was a more detailed (meeting)… many of the Central Asian leaders…extended their best wishes for PM Modi securing a third consecutive term,” he added.

Source: ANI

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