Indian PM Modi has just completed successful four nation’s European tour; Russia being the most important nation on his itinerary spending two days there. PM is expert at pressing all the right buttons, chose St. Petersburg, birth place of President Putin, city Putin loves, admires and have sentimental attachment, rather than Moscow, normal place where Putin meets foreign dignitaries.
Modi paid pre-summit homage by visiting “Piskarovskoye Cemetery” in outskirts of St. Petersburg where President Putin’s elder brother, WW2 casualty is buried, gained Putin’s approval. No wonder they got on well, praised each other and conducted business, the most productive meeting in last ten years, at a time when Moscow was coming under increasing Chinese influence, due to West being at loggerheads with Russia with hotchpotch issues where fiduciary Britain plays leading role with utterance straight from the mouth of comedian Del Boy!
PM Modi was chief guest at three day event, “St. Petersburg Economic Forum” perfect opportunity to strengthen economic ties, as both countries are trying to develop industrial base, especially in consumer goods, IT and defence requirements.
India is determined to increase manufacturing sector from present 16% to 25% of GDP. Russia can take advantage by collaborating with Indian industrialists, especially in oil exploration, defence sector, as India’s aim is not only to be self-sufficient but to become major arms exporter to friendly countries with India’s increasingly high profile presence at international level and India’s cordial relations with Pacific Rim Countries.
Bhupendra M Gandhi
Via Email
