By Ayushi Agarwal
New Delhi [India], December 2 (ANI): Ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India, Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Co-chair of the India-Russia Inter-governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation Denis Manturov said the trip marks a “return to the tradition of annual high-level summits” and represents a major step to deepen the bilateral strategic partnership.
“This will be President Putin’s first visit to India in a long period,” Manturov said in an exclusive interview with ANI, adding that both sides had “thoroughly prepared the agenda” to ensure productive meetings on December 4-5.
Manturov said the visit returns relations to the practice of yearly high-level summits, calling it “an undeniable success.” He said officials on both sides prepared a packed agenda and expect the meetings and negotiations to be fruitful and to give new momentum to strategic cooperation across sectors.
Coinciding with Putin’s visit, the India-Russia Forum will meet in New Delhi with senior officials and business leaders from both countries. Manturov said the forum will explore ways to expand and diversify bilateral trade, including boosting Indian exports of equipment, raw materials and food products to Russia.
He said discussions will also address deepening industrial cooperation, implementing joint investment projects, and expanding ties in high-technology fields. Manturov stressed the forum is designed as a platform for direct engagement between Russian and Indian businesses to accelerate commercial partnerships and grow mutual trade.
“In the context of the visit of the head of our country on December 4-5 India-Russia forum is to take place in New Delhi with participation of government and business representatives. During the forum it is planned to discuss the opportunities for expanding and diversifying bilateral trade, including increasing the volume of supplies of Indian products — in particular various equipment, raw materials and foodstuffs,” Manturov said.
He added that the agenda includes deepening industrial cooperation, implementing joint investment projects, cooperation in high technology and collaboration in other areas, with the forum contributing to intensifying ties and mutual trade growth.
Looking ahead to the next decade, Manturov said Moscow expects the India-Russia relationship to remain resilient, dynamic and rooted in long-standing friendship. Noting the rapidly changing global landscape, he acknowledged forecasting is harder but said certain fundamentals are clear.
“Even in ten years, Russia and India will stay true friends aimed at the comprehensive development of bilateral cooperation,” he said, adding that ties will “evolve dynamically and adapt to the demands of the time,” while remaining anchored in decades-old trust and warmth.
Manturov expressed confidence that current joint initiatives will bear fruit and open new areas of engagement. He predicted both nations will move to a higher level of cooperation with a major emphasis on high-technology industries and both fundamental and applied scientific research.
“Russia and India will successfully move to a more advanced level of cooperation where focus areas would be hi-tech industries and scientific achievements,” he said.
On the global stage, Manturov forecast a rising role for emerging economies and said cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi will contribute to strengthening the influence of the Global South. “Thanks to joint efforts, the influence of the Global South will further strengthen,” he said.
The remarks underline Russia’s outlook for a partnership blending continuity with transformation—preserving historic foundations while opening new frontiers in technology, research and diplomacy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to India from December 4-5 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the visit, Putin will attend the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit and hold talks with PM Modi. The President of India will also receive Putin and host a banquet in his honour.
The visit will give India and Russia’s leadership an opportunity to review bilateral progress, outline a vision for strengthening the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,” and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, the MEA said.
This will be Putin’s first visit to India since 2021. The two leaders last met in person on September 1 this year in Tianjin, China, on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. (ANI)
(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
