India-Russia friendship, why is the picture of PM Modi and Vajpayee being mentioned

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Russia on Monday on his/her two-day visit. During this visit, he/she will hold a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This is Modi’s first visit to Russia in five years and also the first bilateral foreign visit of his/her third term. Earlier, he/she went to Russia in 2019, where he/she attended an economic conference. Amidst PM Modi’s visit to Russia, an old picture of him/her comes to the fore. This picture is from the time when Narendra Modi visited Moscow for the first time. Narendra Modi’s first visit to Russia was on November 6, 2001, when he/she was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. he/she reached Moscow with the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the India-Russia summit.

Narendra Modi’s first visit to Russia in 2001
In one of the photos shared by Modi Archive, Narendra Modi can be seen signing a document with Vajpayee and Putin. PM Modi also recalled his/her 2001 visit to Russia as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, when he/she met President Vladimir Putin along with a delegation of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Modi shared four photos on X, two of which are from the 2001 visit and two from the 2019 visit.

The doors of friendship opened
Earlier, Modi said that I had the opportunity to meet President Putin for the first time in 2001. I came to Moscow with the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat and this was our first meeting. However, Putin did not make me feel that I am less important. I am from a small state or I am new. he/she treated me friendly. This opened the doors of friendship. We not only discussed issues related to our states but also talked about various issues, our hobbies, global issues.
Modi’s first visit after Russia-Ukraine war
PM Modi said Putin is a very interesting person to talk to and I believe we had a very informative conversation. This is Modi’s first visit to Russia since 2019 and the first since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. After finishing his/her engagements in Russia on July 9, PM Modi will leave for Austria, which will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to that country in over 40 years. Modi and Putin are set to further advance bilateral ties in various sectors, including trade, energy and defence, during the 22nd India-Russia annual summit on Tuesday.