Moscow, July 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced the opening of two new Indian consulates in Kazan and Yekaterinburg in Russia and praised President Vladimir Putin for his great work in strengthening the bilateral partnership for more than two decades under his leadership.
Addressing the Indian diaspora at the Carlton hotel in Moscow, Prime Minister Modi said that this is his sixth visit to Russia in the past 10 years, and the two leaders have met 17 times in the past decade.
“India-Russia ties have always been marked by warmth and enthusiasm and they are based on the strong foundation of mutual trust and mutual respect.. For every Indian, the name of Russia denotes an all-weather friend of India, a trustworthy friend,” the PM said.
“I specially thank President Putin’s role for the friendship between India and Russia. He has done great work in making the foundations of this partnership strong in the over past two decades of his leadership,” the PM said.
“I want to share some good news with you all. We have decided to open new consulates in Kazan and Yekaterinburg. This will enhance travel and business trade,” PM Modi said to loud cheers.
Yekaterinburg is Russia’s fourth largest city and has emerged as an important economic centre. Kazan, located at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka rivers, is a cultural and educational hub and an emerging economic centre in Russia.
Thanking the Indian diaspora for the warm reception, PM said, “I have not come here alone. I have brought with me the fragrance of the soil of India. I have brought with me the love of 140 crore countrymen.”
Recounting his election victory, the PM said: “It has been a month since I took oath as the Prime Minister of India for the third time and I took a vow that I will work with three times more strength, and at three times more speed.”
“The government’s goal is to make India the third-largest economy in the world in the third term,” he said to loud cheers from the audience.
PM Modi said the world is surprised to see the pace of development in the country in the last 10 years, since he took over.
“When people from the world come to India, they say that ‘India is changing.’ They can clearly see the transformation of India, the reconstruction of India. Today 140 crore Indians are preparing to be at the forefront in every field,” he added.
He said his government was able to successfully bring the economy out of the Covid crisis, and also make the Indian economy one of the strongest in the world.
Highlighting India’s victory in the T20 World Cup, the PM said, “Today’s youth and today’s young India does not give up till the last ball and the last moment. Victory kisses the feet of those who are not ready to accept defeat.”
Referring to the achievements of his government, he said that in the past decade they were able to double the number of airports in the country and electrify over 40,000 km of the railway lines.
“This makes the world realise the potential of our country…this makes the world believe that ‘Bharat is changing’,” he said.
“This change in India is not just in the system and infrastructure, but this change is also visible in the confidence of every citizen and every youth of the country.”
“I am happy that India and Russia are working together to give new energy to Global Prosperity. All of you present here are giving new heights to the relations between India and Russia. You have contributed to Russian society with your hard work and honesty,” the PM said, praising the diaspora.
