Modi, Putin talk to boost strategic ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday resolved to take strategic bilateral ties  forward and discussed India’s accession to the SCO. “I am looking forward to developing the cooperation (between the two countries),” Putin said as the two leaders met here ahead of the BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summits. The two leaders also decided to accelerate bilateral civil nuclear energy cooperation.

During a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, Modi raised India’s strong concerns over China blocking its move at the UN for action against Pakistan over 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman lakhvi. The issue was raised during a nearly 90-minute-long meeting between the two leaders ahead of the BRICS and SCO summits here.

Modi, who is Ufa primarily for BRICS and SCO summits, thanked Putin for the welcome he got on his arrival earlier in the day. He also thanked Putin with regard to India getting the membership of SCO with the process set to be complete by next year. The PM mentioned that the Russian President himself called him to inform about the decision of the six-nation grouping. The process of India’s accession to the SCO is beginning, Putin said, adding that it was “a very important event.”

China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are the regular members of the SCO. Till now India along with Afghanistan, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan had the observer status in the organisation which mainly focussed on the anti-terrorism cooperation among the member States.

The Prime Minister, while talking about the close relationship between India and Russia, said he will be visiting this country again later this year for the annual bilateral summit meeting. He thanked Putin with regard to the celebrations of Yoga Day on June 21 in Russia. He said it was held in all cities of Russia. Yoga will provide holistic healthcare to the new generation in the world, Modi said.In response, Putin said, “I do not know how to do yoga. When you people do it, it looks difficult.”

“That is why I have not tried it. This is a very appealing kind of sport. I will consider what I can do in yoga, based on what I do in sports,” he added.

The Russian President told Modi that he wants to try out the discipline of yoga. Putin often shows himself as athletic and adventurous, engaging in judo bouts or arranging encounters with wild animals. In one incident, he reportedly shot a tranquilizer dart at a tiger that charged his group in a forest.

Meanwhile, China on Wednesday said as India and Pakistan are set to join the SCO, the six-member grouping will play a constructive role in the improvement of relations between the two South Asian neighbours.