India and Russia are against "outside influence" in internal matters of any nation, PM Narendra Modi said after talks with Russian President Vlimir Putin on Wednesday during which y discussed ways to bolster cooperation in tre and investment, oil and gas, nuclear energy, defence, and maritime connectivity. Modi, who arrived in Russia on a two-day visit during which he will also attend Eastern Ecomic Forum (EEF), is first Indian prime minister to visit Russian Far East Region. "We both are against outside influence in internal matters of any nation," Modi said in a joint press meet with President Putin after ir talks. His remarks came against backdrop of tension between India and Pakistan after New Delhi revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status.

'Kashmir internal matter,' India tells world powers

India has categorically told international community that scrapping of Article 370 of Constitution was an internal matter and also vised Pakistan to accept reality. Russia has backed India's move on Jammu and Kashmir, saying that changes in status are within framework of Indian Constitution. two leers held delegation-level talks at India-Russia 20th Annual Summit after a two-hour tete-a-tete on board a ship, aimed at strengning special and privileged relationship between two sides. y discussed ways to bolster cooperation in tre and investment, oil and gas, mining, nuclear energy, defence and security, air and maritime connectivity, transport infrastructure, hi-tech, outer and people-to-people ties.

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Maritime communications planned between Chennai and Vlivostok

Prime Minister Modi said a proposal has been me to have a full-fledged maritime route between Chennai and Vlivostok. A Memorandum of Intent was signed between India and Russia on development of maritime communications between Chennai and Vlivostok. "Due to increasing localisation of nuclear plants being formed with cooperation of Russia in India, we are also developing a true partnership in this field," he said. " India-Russia friendship is t restricted to ir respective capital cities. We have put people at core of this relationship," he ded. Prime Minister said that Russia will help train Indian astronauts for manned mission -- Gaganyaan project.

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India, Russia strategic partners

two sides signed 15 agreements/MoUs in areas such as defence, air, and maritime connectivity, energy, natural gas, petroleum and tre. " friendship and support between both countries are growing with full speed... Our special and privileged strategic partnership has t only benefitted our countries but also it has been used for development of people," Modi said. "Both of us have taken our relationship to a new level based on cooperation and support which has resulted in t only quantitative changes but qualitative changes as well," Modi said. On his part, Putin said India is one of key partners of Russia and relationship between two states is of "strategic and special privileged nature".

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India-Russia bilateral tre

"We placed our priorities on tre and investment cooperation last year. Our bilateral tre grew by almost 17 per cent and mounted to USD 11 billion. re is every condition that it will grow furr up," he said. He said it common goal of two sides to reach an agreement to establish a free tre area between India and Eurasian ecomic union. ting that Russia is a reliable source of energy supplier to India, Putin said, "Last year we have shipped 3.3 million tonnes of oil to India, almost 550 thousands tons of oil products and 4.5 million tones of coal.

He said flagship joint project is cooperation in Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. " first two units are alrey operational. work for third and fourth unit are going as per schedule," he said. Underlining cooperation between India and Russia in technical and military areas, Putin said, "We are successfully implementing our bilateral programme on military and technical cooperation up to 2020. We are working to update it to extend to ar 10 years."

Earlier in his opening remarks at summit held on sidelines of EEF, which Russia has hosted since 2015 to boost partnerships with Asian countries, Modi said Russia is an "integral friend and trustworthy partner" of India as he praised President Putin's personal efforts on expanding special and privileged strategic partnership between two countries. Modi expressed his gratitude to President Putin and people of Russia for conferring Russia's highest civilian award 'Order of St Andrew Apostle' on him. "This demonstrates friendly relations between people of our two countries. It's a matter of hour for 1.3 billion Indians," he said.

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