New Delhi:
First time after Pulwama attack on a CRPF convoy in which at least 40 jawans were killed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan were under the same roof. However, according to the sources, both leaders ignored each other and decided not to initiate exchange of pleasantry. The report further adds that both the leaders were standing far from each other which culminated into no interaction. However, both the leaders exchange pleasantries with other leaders but not with each other.
Earlier, Pakistan PM Imran Khan had said that Pakistan's relationship with India is probably at its "lowest point" and also expressed his hope that his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi will use his "big mandate" to resolve all differences, including the Kashmir issue.
The Ministry of External Affairs last week said that no bilateral meetings had been planned between Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Khan on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. Khan has twice written to Prime Minister Modi, seeking resumption of dialogue on all issues, including on Kashmir.
PM Modi on Thursday raised the issue of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan during his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and said India expects "concrete action" by Islamabad to create an atmosphere free of terror for the resumption of dialogue.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin. After the meeting PM Modi said he had an "excellent" meeting with President Putin and they reviewed all aspects of bilateral relations to further boost the strategic relationship.
The meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit is their first interaction after Modi's re-election following the stunning victory of the BJP in the general elections last month.
"PM @narendramodi and President Putin had a wonderful meeting in Bishkek. Various subjects pertaining to India-Russia relations were discussed during the meeting," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted.
Prime Minister Modi said that the meeting with President Putin was "excellent." "We had wide-ranging discussions on ways to further boost the India-Russia strategic relationship. We look forward to increased trade and people-to-people linkages with Russia," he said.
The meeting began with Putin congratulating PM Modi over his election victory. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that the two leaders "reviewed all aspects of bilateral relations to further strengthen the strategic relationship."
Briefing the media after the meeting, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said that it was a "brief but very very rich" meeting in terms of content.
He said that defence and energy were key focus during their talks. The two leaders also reviewed trade and investment ties and noted that they're on an upward trajectory.
Prime Minister Modi thanked the Russian President for his support for the AK-203 Kalashnikov rifles manufacturing unit in Amethi, an India-Russia joint venture. The unit was inaugurated by Modi in March in Korwa, near Amethi.
"If we really set our minds to achieving something, we can do a great deal within a very definite timeframe. This (unit) is an excellent example of what we both were able to accomplish," Modi told Putin.
Russia has been one of India's key suppliers of arms and ammunition.
President Putin recognised Prime Minister Modi's personal contribution in strengthening bilateral relations and said that Russia awarded its highest state honour 'Order of St Andrew the Apostle' to him for initiatives he has taken to develop the bilateral relationship.
