President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia as the two sides gear up for annual summit next year.
The invitation for the highest institutional dialogue mechanism in the strategic partnership between the two countries was extended when External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on the Russian president at the Kremlin. The upcoming summit will be the 21st such meeting between the two countries with the previous meeting being held in New Delhi in December 2021.
"We will be glad to see our friend, Mr. Prime Minister Modi in Russia," Putin told Jaishankar.
Jaishankar was in Moscow on a five-day official visit. He had earlier held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.
Putin said PM Modi is "willing to do his utmost" to resolve Russia-Ukraine crisis by "peaceful means".
"We know the stance of Prime Minister Modi and we mentioned that repeatedly on many occasions. Well, his attitude towards some complex developments including the flashpoints liek in Ukraine," Putin said.
"We are gratified to note that despite all the turmoil happening worldwide, the relationship with our true friend in Asia, India has been progressing incrementally," he added.
During a joint media appearance along with Lavrov after their talks, Jaishankar said the two leaders have been in frequent contact.
"Honoured to call on President Vladimir Putin this evening. Conveyed the warm greetings of PM @narendramodi and handed over a personal message. Apprised President Putin of my discussions with Ministers Manturov and Lavrov. Appreciated his guidance on the further developments of our ties," Jaishankar said in his post on X.
Putin said the trade turnover between the two countries are booming in the crude oil and high-tech sectors. "Our trade turnover is growing, for the second year in a row at the same time and at a steady pace. The growth rate this year is even higher than in the last year," he said.
New Delhi has significantly expanded the import of crude oil from Moscow despite pressure from the US and other Western countries amid the Ukraine war. India has not condemned Russia over Ukraine invasion but has urged Moscow and Kyiv to resolve the crisis through dialogue.
On Tuesday, Jaishankar and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov inked some "very important" deals on building new power-generating units of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant.