Indian Diaspora in Moscow Enthusiastic to Meet PM Modi During Russia Visit » Capital News
Moscow, Russia, Jully 9 – The Indian diaspora in Moscow has expressed their enthusiasm about meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his two-day official visit to Russia.
PM Modi is in Russia to hold the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit with President Vladimir Putin.
This visit marks PM Modi’s first trip to the Kremlin since 2019 and coincides with a NATO summit in Washington, where the 2022 invasion of Ukraine will be a major theme.
India, a key global economy, maintains close ties with both Russia and the US. Officials in Delhi have downplayed questions over the timing of Modi’s trip, emphasizing that the annual summit is part of a longstanding strategic partnership and its scheduling is unrelated to the NATO summit.
Young members of the Indian diaspora in Moscow raised slogans of ‘Vande Mataram’ and cheered for Modi ahead of his arrival. Ananya Rai, hailing from UP and living in Russia for 10 years, said, “I am really excited to meet PM Modi. This is the first opportunity I have gotten from the Embassy as well as the school to meet the Prime Minister.” Another student, Anshika Singh, who has been living in Russia for 11 years, said, “I am very honored and excited to meet the Prime Minister.”
Sidhu, from Tamil Nadu, has been living in Russia for 17 years and said, “I am very excited to meet PM Modi and I am very grateful to the Indian Embassy for giving us this opportunity.” Another member of the diaspora expressed her excitement and gratitude to the Embassy for allowing them to greet PM Modi. Abir Imtiaz, who has been living in Moscow for 11 years, said, “I am feeling very proud. I am honored that our PM is coming to Moscow and we have the chance to meet him.”
Deepali Choudhary, from Bihar’s Muzaffarpur, brought a painting for PM Modi. “I wish him a warm welcome to Moscow and I hope he enjoys his time in Russia.” Aarav, a student in class 12, said, “We are eagerly waiting for the Prime Minister. He has been an inspiration for us for such a long time. It will be good to see him up close in person.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for his two-nation visit, beginning with Moscow, Russia, where he has been invited by President Vladimir Putin to attend the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit. In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “PM Narendra Modi sets off on a 2-nation visit to Russia and Austria. The first leg of the visit takes him to Moscow for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit. An opportunity to further accelerate – partnership.”
Among the Prime Minister’s engagements in Moscow is an interaction with the Indian community scheduled for Tuesday.
In his departure statement, PM Modi said, “Over the next three days, I will be in Russia and Austria. These visits will be a wonderful opportunity to deepen ties with these nations, with whom India has a time-tested friendship. I also look forward to interacting with the Indian community living in these countries.”
PM Modi expressed his intention to discuss aspects of bilateral cooperation with President Putin. “I look forward to reviewing all aspects of bilateral cooperation with my friend President Vladimir Putin and sharing perspectives on various regional and global issues. We seek to play a supportive role in a peaceful and stable region. The visit will also provide me with an opportunity to meet the vibrant Indian community in Russia,” he said.
He added that the special and privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia has advanced over the past ten years, encompassing areas such as energy, security, trade, investment, health, education, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
PM Modi and President Putin are scheduled to meet today. The two leaders have met 16 times over the past decade, with their last in-person meeting occurring at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2022. In 2019, PM Modi was conferred the highest Russian state honor, the ‘Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called.’
India and Russia have a longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship, with over 77 years of diplomatic ties. Their relations were elevated to the level of “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” in 2010.
After concluding his visit to Russia, PM Modi will depart for Austria, marking the first visit to the nation by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years. In Austria, he will meet President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Karl Nehammer. “Austria is our steadfast and reliable partner and we share the ideals of democracy and pluralism,” PM Modi said.
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