Narendra Modi at ‘Friends of India’: Russia always stood by us as a friend

Narendra Modi said at 'Friends of India' that the cooperation between the India and Russia is not due to economy or the technology, but it is a common culture that brings these two countries together.

Moscow, December 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon after signing multiple MoUs with Russian President Vladimir Putin on various issues, addressed the Indian community at ‘Friends of India’ organised by the Indian community in Expocentre in Moscow on Thursday. The Indian premier said that Russia has always stood with India and this due to the friendship, not merely about give and take relationship.

The Indian Premier in his speech said that Russia has been with India since decades and has always stood by India. Modi said that a cooperation between the two countries is not due to economy or the technology, but it is a common culture that brings these two countries together. He said, “If one country stood by India through good times and bad, then it is Russia. In Russia there is a deep appreciation for Indian culture and traditions which gives great strength to our ties.” (ALSO READ: Narendra Modi in Russia: PM signs nuclear deal, Vladimir Putin supports India’s bid to UN Security Council)

Speaking about the connection with Russia, Modi said that it is the Russians tourists that Indians wait for entire year and the bonding between the two nation is due to similarity between languages which comes from Sanskrit. He described about a singer Sati Kazanova who is Muslim by religion, Russian by nationality, pop singer by profession and recites Hindu Mantras. Expressing his happiness over the response of the spectators, he said, “Those who saw India only as a market are now seeing India as a manufacturing hub. Today people are investing in India because they have trust in us.”

As world’s confidence is turning towards India’s side and with a fast development rate, Modi said that it is due to the youth 800 million youths in the country who are empowering India to develop. He sought the cooperation of world on the issue of to combat terrorism. Modi said, “Every country has problems, but some people keep crying and whining over them, while some try to solve these problems. India and Russia will fight and end terrorism together and all forces of humanity have to come together to combat terrorism.”

Earlier just before addressing the Indian community signed several MoUs with Russia under the Make in India initiative on related fields like pharma, agriculture, nuclear deal, combat terror, helicopter engineering and technical cooperations in railways. Also cooperation on broadcasting technology, geological survey, exploration and production of hydrocarbons onshore and on continental shelf of Russian Federation was done. Russian President Putin in his speech said that he Supports India’s bid for United Nations Security Council. (ALSO READ: Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin hold annual summit talks)