Modi and Putin will meet in Samarkand, world's eyes on bilateral talks between the two leaders on the sidelines of SCO summit
The whole world will be watching the bilateral meeting of PM Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Samarkand summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The SCO summit will be held on 15 and 16 September in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. There are indications from both the countries that this meeting of Modi and Putin has a big agenda which will further intensify bilateral ties.
Key talks on strategic stability
The main objective of the Indian PM is to use Russia’s energy sources to ensure its energy security, while Putin, who is facing international sanctions, will try to give him strong assurances of diplomatic cooperation. It has been told from the Russian side that there will be important talks on strategic stability between the two leaders. Also, how to help each other in various multinational organizations will also be an issue.
India’s importance to Russia increased
PM Modi is among the few global leaders that Putin spoke to after the attack on Ukraine. . India has become more important to Putin than ever before. One of the reasons for this is that India will chair the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in December.
India has helped on many occasions
By being absent during the voting on several resolutions against Russia in the UNSC, India has indirectly helped it. Russia would like India to take care of its interests even as its president. Apart from this, India will lead the organization of G-20 countries next year and also India is going to lead the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). In both these important conferences, Russia needs India’s help at many levels.
Bilateral meeting with Ibrahim Raisi
Iran can play an important role in connecting Russia-India PM Modi is to have a bilateral meeting with Russian President Putin as well as Iran’s President Ibrahim Raisi. Prior to this meeting, Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Amir Abdullahiyan has said that Iran can play an important role in connecting Central Asia and Russia with India.
Strengthening of relations with Iran
He said that despite international sanctions, the economic ties between India and Iran have remained strong. Currently, India is the fifth largest importer of Iranian products while India is the fourth largest exporter to Iran. This situation is when India has stopped buying oil from Iran. Now Iran is becoming a full member of SCO and its cooperation with India is likely to increase significantly.
This is my first face-to-face meeting with Raisi
This will be Modi’s first one-on-one meeting with Iran’s new President Raisi. Despite the US sanctions, India is in constant contact with Iran. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had visited Iran twice while the Foreign Minister of Iran visited India in June 2022. After the meeting between Modi and Raisi, new energy is likely to be infused in bilateral relations.
