New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, briefing him on the progress in various areas of bilateral cooperation, including trade and economic partnership, fertilizers, connectivity and people-to-people ties.

During the meeting, PM Modi recalled Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India in December last year for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Modi expressed satisfaction at the efforts made by the two nations towards implementation of the outcomes from the Annual Summit aimed to further strengthen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.

“PM extended warm greetings to President Putin and said that he looked forward to their continued exchanges,” PMO stated.

Earlier in the day, Manturov held a meeting with Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman, discussing strengthening of trade and investment ties besides issues of mutual interest.

“Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman met Mr. Denis Manturov, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, in New Delhi today. The two leaders exchanged views on strengthening trade and investment ties and discussed issues of mutual interest,” the Ministry of Finance posted on X.

Manturov arrived in New Delhi early on Thursday for high-level discussions covering defence, energy, trade and a range of other bilateral issues.

In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “A warm welcome to Mr Denis Manturov, First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation and co- Chair of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation, to New Delhi.”

“During the visit, he will hold consultations with External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and engage in other bilateral meetings,” he added.

–IANS

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