India great power and our time-tested friend: Vladimir Putin

Modi with Putin in New Delhi on Monday evening. Pic/PTI

Describing India as a "great power" and a "time-tested" friend, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday identified terrorism, drug trafficking and organised crime as common challenges facing both countries.

In his initial remarks during in-person talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, Putin also expressed concern over the developments in Afghanistan and said India and Russia will continue to coordinate on major challenges facing the region.

"We perceive India as a great power, a friendly nation and a time-tested friend. The relations between our countries are developing and we are looking into the future," Putin said.

Modi said Putin's second visit abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic reflected his personal commitment to the India-Russia ties and that the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two sides was getting stronger.

In the last few decades, the world witnessed many fundamental changes and different kinds of geopolitical equations and variables, but the friendship of India and Russia remained constant, Modi said.

"Your visit to India is a reflection of your commitment to ties with India," the prime minister said. Putin said both sides continue to cooperate on global issues and the positions of the two sides on many issues have similarities.

"Naturally, we are concerned about everything that has to do with terrorism. I mean the fight against terrorism and the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime," Putin said. "In this regard, of course, we cannot but be concerned about the situation and how it is developing in Afghanistan," he said.

Deal to make 6 lakh AK-203 rifles signed

New Delhi: India signed four agreements with Russia as the two countries began their first ever 2+2 ministerial dialogue on Monday morning. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu and the two sides signed two contracts for manufacture of nearly 6 lakh AK 203 rifles under a joint venture in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. The deal is worth over Rs 5,000 crore. Till now India has had a 2+2 format of meetings with the US, Japan and Australia - all members of the Quad grouping.

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