In a significant step towards strengthening bilateral ties, Russia and India agreed on six new strategic projects during the 8th session of the India-Russia Working Group on Priority Investment Projects (IRWG-PIP). This comes ahead of Russia’s invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday for its 80th Victory Day celebrations. However, there is no confirmation of the Prime Minister’s participation on May 9. 

MEA Spokesperson Confirms Receiving Invitation

Russia celebrates Victory Day every year by holding a parade in the iconic Red Square in Moscow to mark its triumph over Nazi Germany in 1945. Meanwhile, the MEA Spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed that the PM has received an invitation from Russia and that they will be announcing his participation at the appropriate time. PM Modi visited the Soviet Union in 2024 twice, and now it’s President Vladimir Putin’s turn to visit India in 2025 for the annual India- Russia summit.

Discussions Aimed At Boosting Collaborative Projects

The session, conducted in Delhi on Wednesday, was held under the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). According to reports, the discussions focused on boosting investment in collaborative projects in various sectors of mutual interest. Meanwhile, the co-chairs present at the session signed a protocol that reviewed the outcomes of the previous session, besides outlining the projects.

2nd Edition Of India-Russia Investment Forum

In this meeting, various initiatives were discussed to boost economic ties, particularly in areas crucial to both nations. The 2nd Edition of the India-Russia Investment Forum was held after this session. It was organised in collaboration with Invest India, ICC, and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. More than 80 businesses, including cargo companies, entrepreneurs, and delegates from both countries, were present in the forum.

Russia – A Time-Tested Partner Of India

Russia has remained a key pillar and long-standing partner of India for ages. Both countries consider their mutual affinity to be a “special and privileged strategic partnership”.