New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and discussed bilateral cooperation in areas including trade, fertilisers, connectivity and people-to-people ties.

The Prime Minister also welcomed ongoing efforts by both sides to implement the outcomes of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit held during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India in December last year.

Taking to X, the Prime Minister wrote: “Pleased to meet Russia’s First Deputy PM Denis Manturov. We discussed our mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, fertilisers, connectivity and people-to-people ties. Welcomed the sustained efforts from both sides to implement the outcomes of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit held during President Putin’s visit to India last December.”

Earlier in the day, Manturov called on the Prime Minister and briefed him on progress in various areas of bilateral cooperation, including trade and economic partnership, fertilisers, connectivity and people-to-people ties.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the efforts made by both countries towards implementing the outcomes of the summit, aimed at further strengthening the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.

“The Prime Minister extended warm greetings to President Putin and said he looked forward to continued exchanges,” the PMO said.

Earlier in the day, Manturov also met Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and discussed strengthening trade and investment ties, along with issues of mutual interest.

“Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman met 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 Finance Ministry posted on X.

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

In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “A warm welcome to Denis Manturov, First Deputy Chairman of the Government 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 S. Jaishankar and engage in other bilateral meetings,” he added.

–IANS

pgh/dan