Date:12/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/12/stories/2007121262151600.htm

International - India & World

Russia cherishes ties with India: Putin

Moscow: Russia cherishes its strategic partnership with India as both have convergent global interests and share common responsibility for maintaining international security and stability, President Vladimir Putin said here on Tuesday.

“We cherish the strategic partnership with India. It is one of the centres of economic growth and influence in an emerging multi-polar world,” he said while accepting the credentials of Indian Ambassador Prabhat Prakash Shukla at a ceremony in the Kremlin’s Alexander Hall.

Mr. Putin said that despite the ongoing reconfiguration of state power in the wake of December 2 Duma elections and the coming presidential election in March, the foreign policy priorities of Russia would remain unchanged.

Manmohan visit

Referring to the results achieved during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Moscow visit last month, he said: “We are united by convergence in our global interests and our common responsibility for maintaining international security and stability.” — PTI