Prime Minister Narendra Modi concludes his two-day Russian Visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi successfully concluded his two-day (8 & 9 July 2024)visit to Russia by signing various agreements and a commitment to boost the traditionally strong special and strategic bilateral relationship between the two countries. 

Prime Minister Modi departed to Vienna, Austria, from Moscow on the second leg of his two nations - Russia and Austria visit. 

After being sworn in as the Prime Minister for the third consecutive term, the visit to Russia was Modi's first foreign bilateral visit.  Prime Minister Modi attended the Outreach meeting of the G7  summit in Italy on 14 June 2024, but it was not a bilateral visit.

India-Russia Summit AfterTwo Year Gap

Prime Minister Modi visited Russia to participate in the 22nd Annual India-Russia summit meeting. This meeting was held after a two -year gap. 

The 21st India-Russia summit meeting was held in New Delhi in December 2021. Normally, both countries alternately host the Annual summit meeting. But Russia's Ukraine war and  Russian President Vladimir Putin’s preoccupation with war led to the postponement of the bilateral annual summit meeting. 

The Russia-Ukraine war started on 24 February 2022  when Russia sent its troops to Ukraine. The war is continuing.

The 22nd annual summit meeting, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, was held in the Kremlin in Moscow.

Outcome of the Prime Minister Modi's Visit 

During the visit, the two leaders issued a joint declaration titled India-Russia: Enduring and Expanding Partnership. Nine Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) were signed between the two countries to facilitate further cooperation in various fields. 

The main points of the joint declaration are as follows:

• To strengthen and deepen the India -Russia Special Strategic Partnership 
• Achieve USD 100 billion bilateral trade target by 2030.
• Russia will enter long-term contracts with Indian companies to supply fertilisers.
• Both countries will work to implement the Chennai-Vladivostok (Eastern Maritime) Corridor and the International North-South Transport Corridor and explore the potential of the Northern Sea Route.
• Continue cooperation in Nuclear energy and space exploration. Russia is setting up a nuclear power plant in Koodankulam, Tamil Nadu.
• Strongly condemned terrorist attack on an Army convoy in the Kathua area of Jammu & Kashmir on 8th July 2024, in Dagestan (Rusia) on 23rd June. 

Prime Minister Modi Conferred Russia’s Highest Award 

During the visit, Russian President Putin conferred Russia’s highest state award and Russia’s highest national award, "The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle,” on Narendra Modi. The award was announced in 2019 but conferred in 2024.

The first emperor of Russia, Peter the Great, established the “Order of St Andrew the Apostle” in 1699. After the Bolshevik revolution in Russia, the award was abolished in 1918. The award was restarted again in 1998 by Boris Yeltsin's government.

Russia Promises to Release Indian Enlisted in Russian Army

Russia has also announced that it will release all the Indian nationals who are enlisted in its Army and deployed on combat duty in Ukraine. 

According to the Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, around  35-50 Indians are enlisted in the Russian Army, of which 10 have returned to India. 

The Indians were promised non-combatant jobs in the Russian Army but were later forced into active combat in Ukraine, and at least four Indians have been killed in the fighting.

The Indian side raised this issue before the Russian side, and the Russians agreed to release the remaining Indians from its Army.Capital of Russia -Moscow

Currency of Russia- Ruble