TAKEAWAYS FROM PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN-PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI MEETING

Written by Michael Thervil

TAKEAWAYS FROM PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN-PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI MEETING | GRIGORY SYSOYEV/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

[Vladimir Putin Narendra Modi meeting] With President Vladimir Putin visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi this week, the meeting of the two heads of state resulted in the strengthening of their bilateral relationship, thus bringing both Russia and India closer than they have previously been. Amid this meeting, America has been threatening to increase tariffs on both Russia and India in a failed effort to undermine the diplomatic relationship between the two countrymen. Prime Minister Modi described both the trade and diplomatic relationship between the two respective countries as being “Steadfast like a pole star”, President Putin applauded India's ability to not only stand up to the threat of American sanctions but to continuously resist them as well.

One of the key takeaways from the meeting between President Putin and Prime Minister Modi was that the two agreed to bolster a new trade target of $100 billion between India and Russia with an uninterrupted flow of oil from Russia to India. This deal was made to not only balance any trade deficits, but the uninterrupted flow of oil to India according to geopolitical analysist is just what India needs to bolster it’s AI and manufacturing sectors, which in term will provide a boost to India's GDP while increasing Russia’s earned revenue via oil sales. President Putin accepted the deal to import more meat and fish from India, again another way to increase the GDP. Regarding any trade deals with European nations, Prime Minister Modi stated to the Indian Press that:

“Both sides are working towards the early conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union.”

Another outcome between the two leaders was the promise to increase the amount of tourism from Russia to India by the plan to introduce two new 30-day visas. It is hoped by Prime Minister Modi that the increase not only tourism from Russian citizens will also play a role in increasing the amount of skilled Indian workers to Russia as it positively impacts India's image on the world stage as well as the Indian economy. Russia is also seeking to open fertilizer production plants in India as well as increasing the efficiency for bilateral trade through the Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Maritime and International North South Transport Corridors.