New Delhi, April 2 Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties in areas such as investment, energy, and fertilizers.
Manturov, who was on a two-day visit to India, also held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The visit gained significance amid the escalating conflict in West Asia.
According to an Indian readout, the Russian first deputy prime minister briefed Modi on the progress in various areas of mutually beneficial cooperation, including trade and economic partnership, fertilizers, connectivity, and people-to-people ties.
It was also reported that Modi recalled the successful visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India in December for the 23rd India-Russia annual summit.
It was also stated that Modi expressed satisfaction at the sustained efforts being made by both sides towards implementing the outcomes from the summit.
The prime minister also extended warm greetings to President Putin and said that he looked forward to their continued exchanges.
The Russian embassy said that Modi and Manturov discussed "specific steps to implement agreements reached" during the India-Russia summit held in December.
"Particular attention was paid to further strengthening Russia-India trade, economic, investment, energy, and industrial cooperation," it said on social media.
In their meeting, Doval and Manturov were also learnt to have discussed bilateral defence cooperation, besides the evolving regional security situation, including the West Asia conflict.
The Russian first deputy PM's visit to New Delhi comes days after India cleared the procurement of a fresh batch of five S-400 missile systems from Russia.
The decision to procure the additional batch of five S-400 air defence missile systems was taken against the backdrop of the missile system proving its capability during Operation Sindoor.
The missile system played a crucial role in India's dominance over Pakistan during the May 7-10 hostilities last year.
In October 2018, India had signed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of S-400 air defence missile systems, notwithstanding a warning by the US that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions under the provisions of Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
Three squadrons have already been delivered.
In the talks, the two sides are also expected to exchange views on the West Asia conflict and its impact on the global economy, especially on the energy sector.
It is learnt that both sides also reviewed the implementation of decisions taken at the summit talks between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Putin last December.
Following talks between the two leaders, India and Russia unveiled a raft of measures, including a five-year roadmap to build a robust economic partnership and to increase the annual trade to USD 100 billion by 2030.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov last week lauded India's "independent foreign policy" and said that Russia looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Modi for a visit this year.
In an address at a conference titled 'India and Russia: Towards a new bilateral agenda', he said the "time-tested" friendship between the two countries is a model on interstate relations based on mutual trust and respect.
