Russian, Indian officials prepare for Putin visit
November 6, 2014, 5:45 am

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin with Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi on 6 November 2014 [MEA, india]

Rogozin met Indian leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Rogozin was in India to lay the groundwork for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s trip to India next month for a bilateral summit.

Modi has missed the chance to hold talks with his BRICS counterparts, Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC Leaders Summit being held in Beijing. Xi had, in July, invited Modi to attend the summit of the APEC trade group. India has never attended APEC meets, although it has renewed focus on the Asia Pacific region.

“Our intention is to seek greater market penetration and access in at least those sectors in which India has set global standards like pharma, auto, textiles and value-added agri products,” Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in New Delhi after holding talks with Rogozin on Wednesday.

“We would like to invite investments from Russia. Come and produce here those goods (for which) you have market available here. Come to India, make it here and sell it to us,” she added.

She was speaking at the 8th India-Russia Forum on Trade and Investment.

“Russia-India Business Forum in New Delhi gathered a great lot of people. That’s how entrepreneurs respond to Western sanctions,” tweeted Rogozin on Wednesday.

“We are willing to help each other. Huge opportunities are there for MSME sector. We will give personal assistance and help Indian businesses (to invest in Russia),” he added.

Bilateral trade between the countries stood at $6 billion in 2013-14.

Earlier in September this year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi backed BRICS member Russia, refusing to criticise Moscow for its annexation of Crimea.

In continuing with New Delhi’ earlier reiteration of support to Moscow over the annexation of Crimea, Modi, in an interview to US broadcaster CNN, said dialogue has to replace the current blame-game.

“There is a saying in India that the person who should throw a stone first is the person who has not committed any sins. In the world right now, a lot of people want to give advice. But look within them, and they too have sinned in some way. Ultimately, India’s view point is that efforts need to be made to sit together and talk, and to resolve problems in an ongoing process,” Modi said.

TBP