Putin looking forward to visiting India: Shringla

By Aarti Tikoo Singh New Delhi/Moscow, Feb 17 : The dates for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India this year, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are being finalised as the two countries look to strengthen their strategic partnership.
Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, who is on an official two-day visit to Moscow, revealed this on Wednesday.
The move assumes significance in view of the recent developments in India’s relations with the US and China. The government has taken strong objection to the US social media platforms enabling mobilisation of violent protesters against India’s farm reforms and other internal decisions. At the same time, India’s military has disengaged with China along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, after a 10-month-long stand-off.
“Clearly there is a lot that is happening in the relationship. It is a very very important relationship for both countries. I think we will see some developments in the next few months that would reinforce the close and strategic partnership that we both enjoy,” Shringla said in a video link from Moscow, underlining the significance of his visit.
Shringla is holding India-Russia foreign office consultations with deputy foreign minister Igor Morgulov. The two sides are reviewing the entire gamut of bilateral relations, including the forthcoming high-level exchanges, the ministry of external affairs said in a statement.
Speaking from Moscow, Shringla said that he had a “very good meeting” with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, who emphasised the importance of the strategic relationship between India and Russia. The foreign secretary extended an invitation to him on behalf of the external affairs ministry for a visit to India. He said Lavrov is looking forward to the meeting at the earliest.