Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia, the Congress party has posed three critical questions regarding Indo-Russian relations, trade imbalances, and the involvement of Indian nationals in the Russian Army. Read more about the concerns and implications.
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As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a significant visit to Russia, the Congress party has raised three pressing questions that address crucial aspects of the India-Russia relationship. The questions, posed by Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, highlight concerns about diplomatic ties, trade imbalances, and the participation of Indian nationals in the Russian Army.
1. Cooling of Indo-Russian Relations: Jairam Ramesh questioned whether the relationship between India and Russia has cooled off under PM Modi’s leadership. Despite supporters’ claims that Modi played a role in stopping the war between Russia and Ukraine, Ramesh pointed out that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met with Russian President Vladimir Putin 16 times, compared to Modi’s 11 meetings. This raises concerns about the current state of bilateral relations.
2. Trade Imbalance: Ramesh highlighted a significant trade imbalance between India and Russia. He noted that India’s exports to Russia fell slightly from $3.17 billion in FY14 to $3.14 billion in FY23, while the import bill surged from $6.34 billion to $46.21 billion. The Congress leader questioned Modi’s vision for improving the trade balance and whether this issue is on the agenda for his talks with President Putin.
3. Indian Nationals in the Russian Army: Expressing concerns about Indian nationals joining the Russian Army, Ramesh claimed that at least 50 individuals have joined, with two reported fatalities. He suggested that many of these individuals were “duped” into fighting a war in which they have no stake, driven by poverty and unemployment in India. This raises serious questions about the domestic situation and its impact on Indian citizens.
PM Modi’s visit to Russia marks his first since winning his third term. Following the conclusion of the Russia visit on July 9, Modi will depart for Austria, making it the first visit by an Indian prime minister to that nation in over four decades.
Key Takeaways:
- Congress raises concerns about the state of Indo-Russian relations under PM Modi.
- Trade imbalance between India and Russia is highlighted as a significant issue.
- Concerns about Indian nationals joining the Russian Army are brought to the forefront.
Stay updated with the latest developments on PM Modi’s Russia visit and the implications of these critical questions raised by the Congress party.