Putin: Looking forward to working with Modi

Asked about Russia’s working with the UPA government in the past 10 years and prospects of working with the new BJP-led government, Putin said the bilateral ties are above political parties. He said India is an “outstanding civilisation” and congratulated the country on the recent successful conduct of the general elections.

Russia is going to make all arrangements for lifting the bilateral relations in economic, humanitarian, military and technical cooperation, he said. “We have a lot of cooperation in many areas, historically and otherwise. The prospects of cooperation are high. We are doing everything to fulfil this.”

Putin thanked India for standing by Russia and not joining the sanctions imposed by the western countries on the Ukraine issue. He said he confirmed this when he talked to outgoing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and to Modi.