'All our efforts give priority to humanity': Key quotes from PM Modi-Putin bilateral meeting

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the Brics summit, which is set to take place on October 23.

The bilateral meeting between both heads of state took place on the sidelines of the Brics summit, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

PM Modi landed in Kazan on Tuesday, a city in Russia, for the summit.

The group first met in 2006, became Brics with South Africa's inclusion in 2010, and continues to play a significant role in global economic discussions.

Here's what PM Modi said:

• "I express my heartfelt gratitude for your friendship, warm welcome and hospitality. It is a matter of great pleasure for me to have the opportunity to visit a beautiful city like Kazan for the Brics summit. India has deep and historical ties with this city. The opening of India's new consulate in Kazan will further strengthen these ties," PM Modi said at the meeting.
• "My two visits to Russia in the last three months reflect our close coordination and deep friendship. Our annual summit in Moscow in July has strengthened our cooperation in every field...In 15 years, the Brics has created its special identity and now many countries of the world want to join it," PM said.
• "I am looking forward to participating in the Brics summit tomorrow. I have been in constant touch with you on the subject of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As I have said earlier, we believe that the problems should be resolved in a peaceful manner. We fully support the early establishment of peace and stability. All our efforts give priority to humanity. India is ready to provide all possible cooperation in the times to come," PM Modi added.
• "I have been in constant touch with you on the subject of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As I have said earlier, we believe that the problems should be resolved in a peaceful manner. We fully support the early establishment of peace and stability. All our efforts give priority to humanity. India is ready to provide all possible cooperation in the times to come," he said.

Here's what President Putin said:

• "I remember we met in July and had a very good discussion on several issues. We also spoke on the telephone a lot of times. I am very grateful to you for accepting the invitation to come to Kazan. Today, we will participate in the opening ceremony of the Brics summit and after that, we will have a dinner. During the upcoming Brics summit today with other leaders, we should take some very important decisions...," said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• "The next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission is scheduled for 12 December in New Delhi. Our projects are constantly developing. You have decided to open the National Institute of Indian Studies in Kazan. We welcome this. Our cooperation will benefit from the policies of India. We are very happy to see you and your delegation in Russia," Putin said.
• "The next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission is scheduled for 12 December in New Delhi. Our projects are constantly developing. You have decided to open the Indian Consulate in Kazan. We welcome this. Our cooperation will benefit from the policies of India. We are very happy to see you and your delegation in Russia," he added.

Over the last quarter-century, Brics, an acronym initially coined by a Goldman Sachs economist, has evolved from a grouping of emerging market economies into a potential challenger to the Western-led global order.

The key focus of this Brics summit in Kazan is to explore how Brics can continue to push for a multipolar world order—one that challenges the dominance of the US and the Western-led global financial system.

Brics represents a significant portion of the world’s population and economic output, with its members accounting for nearly 40 per cent of the global population and around 25 per cent of global GDP.