Narendra Modi Russia Visit highlights: PM meets President Putin for private dinner at Presidential Palace

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed PM Modi at his official residence at Novo-Ogaryovo for a "private engagement" during which he praised the visiting Indian leader for the work he has done for the country's progress, reports PTI.

“I would like to congratulate you on your reelection as prime minister. I think this is not an accident, but the result of your work over many years,” Putin told Modi as they held an informal meeting in a residence outside Moscow.

“You have your own ideas. You are a very energetic person, able to achieve results in the interests of India and the Indian people,” Putin said. “The result is obvious.”

“India firmly ranks as the world’s third-largest economy,” Putin was quoted as saying by the state-run Tass news agency.

The United States has called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to emphasize Ukraine's territorial integrity as he met in Russia with President Vladimir Putin on the eve of a NATO summit in Washington.

"We would urge India, as we do any country which engages with Russia, to make clear that any resolution to the conflict in Ukraine needs to be one that respects the UN Charter with respect to Ukraine's territorial integrity, Ukraine's sovereignty," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

"India is a strategic partner with whom we engage in a full and frank dialogue, and that includes on our concerns about the relationship with Russia," he said, according to AFP.

PM Modi enjoyed an E-cart ride with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the premises of the latter's residence in Moscow. Watch the video here.

Ostankino Tower, the tallest standing structure in Europe was illuminated with Indian tricolour on Monday to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in Russia. Watch the video here.

“Gratitude to President Putin for hosting me at Novo-Ogaryovo this evening. Looking forward to our talks tomorrow as well, which will surely go a long way in further cementing the bonds of friendship between India and Russia,” PM Narendra Modi posted on X after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Narendra Modi Russia Visit Live Updates: “A meeting of two close friends and trusted partners. PM Narendra Modi welcomed by President Vladimir Putin of Russia at his official residence at Novo-Ogaryovo for a private engagement. An occasion for the two leaders to cherish & celebrate friendship,” said MEA.

Narendra Modi Russia Visit Live Updates: PM Modi meets Russian President Vladimir Putin for private dinner at Presidential Palace in Moscow.

Narendra Modi Russia Visit Live Updates: On Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the country, Abhay Kumar Singh, United Russia party's Deputat (MLA), from Russia's Kursk on Monday said that the talks between PM Modi and Russian President Putin will focus on crucial global matters including defence deals, cultural topics, economic and geopolitical discussions.

Speaking with ANI, Singh said that PM Modi's visit was awaited for a long time. "Since the last two years, he had not come, and his visit was not only awaited by President Vladimir Putin but the local public too," Singh said.

The Kursk MLA further said, "The people here are quite excited about his visit and are very enthusiastic."

Narendra Modi Russia Visit Live Updates: President Vladimir Putin will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, both one-on-one and with delegations, a top Russian official said on Monday.

"Around noon, Putin and Modi will start talking. We expect that there will be a private conversation, as well as Russian-Indian talks over an official breakfast,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by the state-owned TASS news agency.

On Tuesday, Modi will co-chair the 22nd India-Russia annual summit with President Putin.

Narendra Modi Russia Visit Live Updates: According to government sources, reported by ANI, India's stand is that the resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict cannot be achieved through military means alone. The perspective of the global south underscores the necessity for dialogue and diplomacy involving both parties to achieve a resolution, it added.

Narendra Modi Russia Visit Live Updates: Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the ministry of external affairs said that Prime Minister Modi has arrived in Moscow for the 22nd India-Russia annual summit.

Upon arrival at the airport, he was greeted by the first deputy prime minister and received a ceremonial welcome along with a Guard of Honour, he said. The first deputy prime minister then accompanied him to the hotel. Later, PM Modi was warmly welcomed by a large gathering of Indian community members at the hotel. In the evening, President Putin will host him for a private dinner, he said.

Narendra Modi Russia Visit Live Updates: On Tuesday, Modi will co-chair the 22nd India-Russia annual summit with President Putin, interact with the members of the Indian community and visit the Rosatom pavilion at an exhibition.

The prime minister is also scheduled to lay a wreath at the 'Tomb of the Unknown Soldier'.

Narendra Modi Russia Visit Live Updates: The Ostankino TV tower, one of Moscow’s famous landmarks, illuminated in the colours of the Indian and Russian flags on Monday, marking the beginning of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Moscow for summit talks with President Vladimir Putin.

Standing at 1,771 feet (540m), the Ostankino TV Tower ranks as the world’s fourth tallest and Europe’s tallest of its kind. Constructed in 1967 by the renowned Soviet engineer Nikolai Nikitin, it remains a prominent symbol of Russian broadcasting and a popular landmark in Moscow, attracting visitors from around the world.

Narendra Modi Russia Visit Live Updates: Congress general secretary Rajeev Shukla said that while the opposition party does not oppose the Prime Minister's visit to Russia, they emphasize that he should also visit violence-affected Manipur.

"We don't object to the PM going to Russia, as his visit was already planned. However, we have consistently urged in Parliament for his visit to Manipur. Why is the North East being neglected? He should visit there," Shukla said during a press conference in Chandigarh.

Narendra Modi Russia Visit Live Updates: “A memorable welcome in Moscow! I thank the Indian community for their affection,” said PM Modi sharing photos on meeting with Indian diaspora.

Narendra Modi Russia Visit Live Updates: Prime Minister Modi and President Putin last held bilateral talks on the margins of a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) at Samarkand in Uzbekistan on September 16, 2022.

In the meeting, Modi had famously pressed Putin to end the conflict in Ukraine saying "today's era is not of war".

Narendra Modi Russia Visit Live Updates: "The Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia has advanced over the past ten years, including in the areas of energy, security, trade, investment, health, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges," PM Modi said.

"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 for a peaceful and stable region. The visit will also provide me an opportunity to meet the vibrant Indian community in Russia," he added.

Narendra Modi Russia Visit Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with children and interacts with members of the Indian diaspora gathered at The Carlton Hotel in Moscow.

Narendra Modi Russia Visit Live Updates: PM Modi said, “Landed in Moscow. Looking forward to further deepening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between our nations, especially in futuristic areas of cooperation. Stronger ties between our nations will greatly benefit our people.”

Narendra Modi Russia Visit Live Updates: Ministry of external affairs said that PM Modi will hold “substantive discussions with president Vladimir Putin to take forward the special partnership between the two countries. He will also interact with the Indian community in Russia”.

Narendra Modi Russia Visit Live Updates: PM Modi and Russsian president Putin will review the entire range of multifaceted relations between the two countries and exchange views on contemporary regional and global issues of mutual interest.

PM Modi Russia Visit Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was received by Russia's first deputy prime minister, Denis Manturov, who holds a higher rank than the deputy prime minister who welcomed the Chinese president during his visit to Russia.

Manturov will also accompany the Prime Minister to the hotel from the airport in the same car.