PM Modi Holds Bilateral Meetings With Russian President Putin, Iranian President, And UN Chief Guterres

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New Delhi yesterday ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit.

During his meeting with President Vladimir Putin, the two leaders reviewed progress in India-Russia cooperation across a wide range of areas, including politics, trade and economy, defence, energy, space, skill mobility and people-to-people ties. Both sides also shared perspectives on key regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region.

Prime Minister Modi once again reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy was the way forward in resolving conflicts and India stood ready to assist in peace efforts. The two leaders agreed to remain engaged in an effort to strengthen further the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

President Putin invited Prime Minister to visit Russia for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit. The Prime Minister accepted the invitation. The dates of the Summit will be decided as per mutual convenience.

Prime Minister Modi gifted Mr Putin a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, the ancient Tamil classic by poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, during their meeting. It has been published by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil.

President Putin arrived in the national capital in the early hours yesterday to attend the BRICS Summit.

In his meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Prime Minister Modi discussed bilateral relations and recent developments in West Asia. Mr Modi reiterated India’s consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. He stressed the need for continued efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region, while also underlining the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce and ensuring the safety and well-being of seafarers.

 The Prime Minister thanked Iran for its continued high-level participation in BRICS-related meetings and highlighted the grouping’s potential to promote resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability among countries of the Global South.

Prime Minister Modi also met United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. The two leaders discussed ongoing global conflicts, freedom of navigation, sustainable development, renewable energy, global food security and human-centric artificial intelligence. They also underlined the importance of strengthening multilateralism and reforming international institutions, including the United Nations Security Council, to reflect contemporary global realities. Mr Guterres congratulated Prime Minister Modi on India taking up the BRICS chairmanship for the fourth time.