Sochi: Modi, Putin hold 'intense' talks to cement 'special privileged' ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “very intense” discussions on bilateral and global issues that would provide the guidelines for the further development of “special privileged” strategic ties between India and Russia, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.

Modi said the strategic partnership between India and Russia has now been elevated into a “special privileged strategic partnership” which is a “very big achievement” as he met Putin in this Black Sea coastal city of Sochi for their first informal summit to discuss a range of bilateral topics, including defence cooperation as well as global issues of common concern.

“I am grateful to President Putin who invited me for an informal meeting and hence, in the long friendship of ours, this is a new aspect that has been attached to our relationship,” Modi said.

“You have added a new aspect of informal summit in the bilateral relationship which I think is a great occasion and creates trust,” he said.