Modi is the first Indian leader to be conferred with the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, it was bestowed on him in 2019, but the PM received it physically on Tuesday…reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a two-day visit to Russia, expressed gratitude towards President Vladimir Putin for honouring him with Russia’s highest civilian award and said that the honour is of 140 crore Indians.
The Prime Minister also asserted that both countries believe that efforts should be made for global stability and peace.
Modi said, “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you (President Putin) for honouring me with Russia’s highest (civilian) award. This honour is not just mine, this is the honour of 140 crore Indians. This is the honour of the centuries-old deep friendship and mutual trust between India and Russia. This is the honour of our special and privileged strategic partnership.”
Notably, Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs took to his official X handle and posted pictures of Modi and President Putin. He said, “An honour symbolising the depth of India-Russia ties! PM Narendra Modi conferred with Russia’s highest national award, the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle by President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin today.”
The PMO in a statement said that in a special ceremony in St. Andrew Hall in the Kremlin, the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin conferred Russia’s highest national award “The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle” on Narendra Modi for his contribution to fostering India-Russia ties. The award was announced in 2019.
Interestingly, the award was instituted over 300 years ago. Modi is the first Indian leader to be conferred with this award. The award was bestowed on Modi in the year 2019, but he received it physically on Tuesday.
Putin presented the award to Modi, for his distinguished contribution to the development of a privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India and friendly ties between the two countries.
“It is a testimony to Russia’s sincere gratitude to the sincere contribution you are making to strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between our nations… you have always advocated broader contacts with our country. Back when you were Chief Minister of Gujarat, you came up with the initiative of twinning your state with Russian regions,” Putin said while conferring the award.
“Dear friend, from the bottom of my heart, I would like to congratulate you for this highest Russian award and wish you good health, success and all the best. To the friendly people of India, I wish peace and prosperity,” he added.
Meanwhile, hailing the relationship between both nations, Modi asserted that their ties are important not just for India and Russia but for the entire world. He said, “In the context of today’s global atmosphere, India and Russia partnership becomes all the more important. Both of us believe that continuous efforts should be made for global stability and peace. In the time to come, we will work together towards this.”
The Prime Minister also asserted that in the past 2.5 decades, the relationship between India and Russia under the leadership of Putin has strengthened. “He said, “Under your (Putin) leadership, India-Russia relations have strengthened in all directions and have scaled new heights each time. The foundation of strategic ties between the two nations that you had laid has only further strengthened over time.”
He added, “Our mutual cooperation, based on people-to-partnership, is becoming the hope and guarantee of a better future of our people.”
Modi further said that in discussions, both the leaders have talked about strengthening the mutual cooperation in all sectors and have taken new and significant decisions. (ANI)
India, Russia set $100 bn trade target by 2030
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday outlined their goals to eliminate non-tariff trade barriers and achieve a mutual trade volume of over $100 billion by 2030.
The two leaders also decided to continue dialogue on the liberalization of bilateral trade, including the possibility of establishing the EAEU-India Free Trade Area, according to the Leaders’ Joint Statement released following the meeting.
“Aspiration for elimination of non-tariff trade barriers related to bilateral trade between India and Russia. Continuation of dialogue in the field of liberalization of bilateral trade, including the possibility of the establishment of the EAEU-India Free Trade Area. Achievement of a mutual trade volume more than $100 bn by 2030 (as mutually agreed), including increased supplies of goods from India to achieve balanced bilateral trade. Reinvigoration of investment activities of the Parties, i.e. within the framework of the special investment regimes,” the statement read.
They also decided to work on developing a bilateral settlement system using national currencies and the consistent introduction of digital financial instruments for mutual settlements.
The two countries will focus on increasing cargo turnover with India through the launch of new routes for the North-South International Transport Corridor, the Northern Sea Route, and the Chennai-Vladivostok Sea Line. They will also optimize customs procedures through the application of intelligent digital systems for barrier-free movement of goods.
They will work to raise the volume of bilateral trade in agricultural products, food, and fertilizers, and maintain an intensive dialogue aimed at removing veterinary, sanitary, and phytosanitary restrictions and prohibitions.
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