The meeting between Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin has concluded.
Photo: REUTERS.
Formally, the visit was a state visit, i.e. at the highest level and was conducted in accordance with all the canons of diplomatic protocol. On the other hand, it was friendly. Not for nothing did Narendra Modi, on Monday afternoon, while having tea with Putin at his residence in Novo-Ogarevo, remark: “It is a great joy to visit a friend at home.” That is why we added special sincerity and warmth to the diplomatic protocol.
MULL AND PHUNSAN WINE
Normally, these visits last two days, but only one day is reserved for negotiations, meetings and documents. And the other, usually the first, is for the informal part. This time it was the same.
The Indian Prime Minister arrived on Monday. And after a ceremonial meeting at the airport (with an orchestra and a guard of honour), he immediately went to visit Vladimir Putin. Thus began an informal meeting.
Putin and Modi drank tea during a warm and friendly conversation, walked around the residence and, as if it had already become a tradition, the president drove his guest. True, this time not in an Aurus, but in an open electric car, which even contributed to the feeling.
By the way, Putin and Modi were not going anywhere, but to the presidential stable (the Russian president was given many horses, from very small horses to thoroughbred Arabians, and some of them live in Novo-Ogarevo). The leaders walked around the stable, fed the horses (the horse with mulled wine was very lucky: it received as many as two carrots from both Vladimir Putin and Nerendra Modi), and then, again, over a cup of tea, watched a small dressage performance.
By the way, on the way to the stables, a pen with two Pungsans, brought by Putin from North Korea, also appeared on the scene. They were particularly active and eager to see their owner. It seems that they like the Moscow region.
ATOM, KREMLIN, ORDER
The second day of the Indian Prime Minister’s stay in Moscow was much more formal. But even here there was not one hundred percent formality and protocol.
So the first item on Modi’s agenda was the Atom pavilion at VDNKh. The tour was personally conducted by Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev. It showcased our achievements in industry (and here Russia is ahead of the rest): our capabilities in water desalination, irradiation of seeds and food products, and focused specifically on the positions on Russian-Indian cooperation in the field of atomic energy. And most importantly: in such an informal atmosphere, issues of cooperation were discussed, for example, the transportation of goods from India to Europe and Russia along the Northern Sea Route.
Only after this did the leaders go to the Kremlin. One of the Telegram channels read: “One Aurus, two standards.” That is, Putin and Modi traveled together to the center of the capital.
There have already been negotiations, delegations, talk about trade turnover (by the way, it grew by 66% over the past year, and already by 20% in the first quarter) and about cooperation in completely different areas.
Modi again called Putin a friend and stressed that in the last 10 years alone they have met 17 times, in total he himself has flown to Russia 6 times and in general this is their 22nd meeting in a bilateral format.
– Yesterday we had a great opportunity to spend 4-5 hours at your residence. We discussed all the issues at home and I am very happy that we exchanged views openly on the issue of Ukraine. I am very happy that we spoke so informally yesterday and you expressed your opinion very openly, without any nuances, Narendra Modi said.
In fact, Putin himself said that most of the issues had been resolved the day before in an informal conversation. So much so that an extended meeting was no longer necessary. But there was still a reason to meet separately.
The leaders moved to the St. Andrew’s Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace, where Vladimir Putin awarded the guest with the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle.
WHAT WAS MODI AWARDED FOR?
The Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called is the highest state order of the Russian Federation. It was founded in the late 17th century by Peter the Great, but was abolished after the October Revolution (like all orders of the Russian Empire).
In 1998, Boris Yeltsin re-established it as the country’s highest award. It is awarded to outstanding government and public figures for “exceptional services contributing to Russia’s prosperity, greatness and glory,” as well as to heads and heads of government of foreign countries for “exceptional services to the Russian Federation.”
In total, 26 people received the Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. Only four of them are foreigners.
What is required of the order holders:
• Property and income tax exemption
• Free train tickets
• Travel for free on the subway
• Free treatment in government institutions.
• Free entry to museums, theatres, concerts and other cultural events
• Free accommodation in state hotels.
• Free training at universities and vocational education institutions.
• Additional vacations and professional development opportunities.
