On seeing PM Modi, Putin hugged him and then said something like this, everyone laughed.

PM Modi has reached Kazan for the 16th BRICS summit on the invitation of Putin, where he participated in a bilateral meeting with the Russian President.

During the meeting with PM Modi, the Russian President said, our relations are so strong that you (PM Modi) will understand what I am saying without any translation. At this a wave of laughter ran in the room of the Governor Palace. Even PM Modi could not stop laughing at this statement of Putin.

President Putin said, in Kazan we will have to take a number of important decisions, the purpose of which is to further improve the activities of the Association and strengthen multidimensional cooperation within its framework.

The Russian President said, we welcome your decision to open the Consulate General of India in Kazan. The expansion of India’s diplomatic presence in Russia will contribute to the further development of bilateral relations.

During bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, PM Modi once again mentioned the Russia-Ukraine war. He said before the President of Russia that problems should be solved only in a peaceful manner.

PM Modi also expressed his gratitude to Russian President Putin for the warm welcome. PM Modi said, I express my gratitude for your friendship and warm welcome. It is a matter of happiness for me that I have got the opportunity to come to a beautiful city like Kazan for the BRICS Summit.

PM Modi expressed happiness over the opening of India’s new Consulate in Kazan and said that this will further strengthen relations. He said, my coming to Russia twice in the last three months reflects our close coordination and deep friendship.