Modi, Putin direct officials to boost bilateral ties, eye $100 bn trade target

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin have directed their respective officials to strengthen bilateral cooperation and pursue an ambitious trade target of $100 billion by 2030. The directive came during talks held on the sidelines of the BRICS summit hosted in New Delhi on September 12-13.

Indian envoy Kumar disclosed that the two leaders reviewed the complete spectrum of bilateral relations during their meeting at the summit. The discussion encompassed economic, security, and cultural dimensions of the India-Russia partnership, reflecting the depth of engagement between the two nations.

The $100 billion trade target represents a significant expansion of economic ties, signaling both countries' commitment to deepening commercial relations despite geopolitical pressures. Officials from both nations have been tasked with identifying priority sectors and mechanisms to achieve this ambitious goal.

The directive underscores India and Russia's shared interest in maintaining strong bilateral bonds within the BRICS framework, where both nations hold influential positions. The summit provided an opportunity for Modi and Putin to reinforce their countries' strategic partnership amid ongoing international developments.