BRICS Summit Live | Modi, Xi endorse LAC pact, okay resumption of bilateral talks

Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed his country’s ties with Russia as he met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit in Kazan.

“The world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and the international situation is chaotic and intertwined,” Xi told Putin, praising the “profound friendship” between their two countries.

China and Russia “have continuously deepened and expanded comprehensive strategic coordination and practical cooperation”, Xi said.

A Sanskrit welcome song, a Russian dance, and Krishna Bhajan by ISKCON devotees welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kazan on Tuesday.

At the Hotel Korston, Modi was greeted by the Indian diaspora, holding the Indian tricolour and chanting slogans. Many were seen clicking selfies with their mobile phones.

As the prime minister shook hands with some of them, they sang a cheerful welcome song in Sanskrit.

A team of Russian artists, dressed in traditional Indian attire, presented a Russian dance as Modi watched it with keen interest.

Some devotees of the ISKCON movement sang Krishna bhajan to the beats of clapping as Modi witnessed it with folded hands.

At the airport, PM Mod was received by the Head of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov.

Modi was offered traditional Tatar sweets by local representatives standing in their traditional dresses to welcome the heads of the state.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict should be resolved in a peaceful manner, and India is ready to provide all possible cooperation towards it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.

In his televised opening remarks, the prime minister conveyed to the Russian leader that New Delhi “fully supports” the early return of peace and stability in the region.

Modi also said that his second visit to Russia in the last three months reflected “close” coordination and deep trust between the two countries.

“We are in constant touch on the issue of ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As I said earlier, we believe that problems should be resolved in a peaceful manner,” the prime minister said.

“We fully support the early return of peace and stability. All our efforts give priority to humanity. India is ready to provide all possible cooperation in times to come,” he said.

The prime minister also referred to his summit talks with Putin in Moscow in July. “Our annual summit resulted in strengthening cooperation in every field,” he said.

Modi congratulated Putin on Russia’s successful presidency of BRICS and said many countries want to join the grouping now.