NEW DELHI, 9 May 2005 — Highlighting the importance of India’s relations with Russia, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said yesterday: “We attach the highest importance to our relations with Russia, which has been a tried and tested friend and has stood by us in “times of need.”
Manmohan made this statement just ahead of his three-day Russia visit to take part in international celebrations marking the end of World War II. He will be holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin today, shortly after the special events at Red Square commemorating the 60th anniversary of the surrender of German forces to Russia in Berlin on May 9, 1945.
“I look forward to my meeting with President Putin in Moscow,” Manmohan said. This is Manmohan’s first visit to Russia since he became the prime minister last year in May. Recalling Putin’s “successful” India visit in December, Manmohan said: “Our discussions will aim to build upon the successful visit of President Putin to India in December last year and the common objective we share of further consolidating our relations of strategic partnership.”
Drawing attention to the importance of Indo-Russian ties, Manmohan said that this would be further demonstrated by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s state visit to Russia later this month.
During his present three-day visit, on the sidelines of the Moscow celebrations, Manmohan is likely to hold meetings with a number of leaders.
