NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin and welcomed him to India.

"Looking forward to our interactions later this evening and tomorrow. India-Russia friendship is a time tested one that has greatly benefitted our people", PM Modi said.

PM Modi also presented a copy of the Gita in Russian to President Putin. PM Modi stated that the teachings of Gita give inspiration to millions across the world.

The Prime Minister posted on X: "Delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin to India. Looking forward to our interactions later this evening and tomorrow. India-Russia friendship is a time tested one that has greatly benefitted our people."

In the press statement, he said that enhancing connectivity between our two countries is a key priority. We will move forward with renewed energy on the INSTC, Northern Sea Route, and Chennai-Vladivostok Corridors. I am delighted that we will now collaborate to train Indian seafarers in polar waters. This will not only strengthen our cooperation in the Arctic but will also create new employment opportunities for India's youth.

He further said that our deep cooperation in shipbuilding has the potential to strengthen Make in India. This is another excellent example of our win-win cooperation, which will strengthen jobs, skills, and regional connectivity.

He said Energy security has been a strong and important pillar of the India-Russia partnership. Our decades-old cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy has been crucial in realizing our shared priorities of clean energy. We will continue this win-win cooperation.

PM Modi said that our cooperation in critical minerals is crucial to ensuring secure and diversified supply chains around the world. This will provide solid support to our partnerships in clean energy, high-tech manufacturing, and new-age industries.

He said that the friendship will give us the strength to face global challenges in the times to come—and that this confidence will further enrich our shared future.