LOC12:34
09:34 GMT
MOSCOW, Dec 6 (KUNA) -- A Russian, Indian summit held in New Delhi, Monday, to discuss latest development in Asia- Pacific, Afghanistan, and bilateral relations.
In a statement, the Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he will discuss with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi " wider initiatives to develop the bilateral relations and to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries," the Russian News Agency (TASS) said.
" Enhancing the Russian-Indian partnership through increasing trade volume, enhancing cooperation in the fields of energy, investment, space and defense, establishing joint companies, and producing COVID-19 vaccines, will all benefit both countries", Putin confirmed.
On his part, the Aide of President Putin, Yury Ushakov, said that the Russian-Indian Summit would discuss international issues, and the joint action in the framework of G20, BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, in addition to strategic stability, fight against terrorism, and the current situation in Asia- Pacific, and Afghanistan.
Both sides will sign 10 agreements at the end of their discussion in the fields of investment, space, culture, and trade exchange, Ushkov added.
On their part, Russian Foreign Minister Sergy Lavrov and Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu will hold talks with their Indian counterparts Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Rajnath Singh within the framework of the (2+2) formula, in addition to participating in the work of the Joint Intergovernmental Committee for Military and Technical Cooperation, Ushkov added.
In the same context, (TASS) quoted the Russian ambassador to India, Nikolay Kudashev, as saying that "the talk about India's distance from Russia towards the West is not based on reality," stressing that the two countries are on a greater degree of rapprochement than ever before.
He stressed the Russian supports for India's request for permanent membership in the UN Security Council, and their positions on issues of strategic stability.
President Putin is scheduled to return to Moscow later Monday to participate in a video conference with his US counterpart Joseph Biden, which will be held on Tuesday evening. (end)
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