Russia remains India's key partner: Modi

Russia has stood by India through the thick and thin and has been India's foremost defence partner through decades, and continues to remain so despite the widening options for India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today.

India cherishes its strategic partnership with Russia, which is unmatched because of the mutual confidence, trust and goodwill and its incomparable content, the prime minister told reports after a summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The steadfast support of the people of Russia has been a pillar of strength for India's development, security and international relations even at difficult moments in its history, Modi said, adding that India too has always stood by Russia through its challenges.

While the character of global politics and international relations continue to change, the importance of India-Russia relations remain unique and India intends to keep its foreign policy unchanged so that the significance of the partnership will improve further in the future, Modi stated.

Addressing a joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the PM said, "It's a great pleasure to welcome President Putin to India, I am honoured to host him in Delhi."

"This is President Putin's 11th annual summit and my first. I am confident that our bilateral cooperation will acquire new vigour," the PM said.

Russian President Putin said, "We had constructive talks on a whole gamut of issues".

"We are content with how the visit is being conducted and its outcome," Putin added.

The two leaders emphasised that the time has come for a significant broad-basing of bilateral cooperation to carry the friendship between the countries to a qualitatively new level.

They also resolved to strengthen this partnership over the next decade through concrete initiatives in diverse areas and to make the bilateral institutional dialogue architecture more result-oriented and forward-looking.