“We have a lot of cooperation in many areas, historically and otherwise. The prospects of cooperation are high. We are doing everything to fulfil this.”
Putin thanked India for standing by Russia and not joining the sanctions imposed by the western countries on the Ukraine issue.
He said he confirmed this when he talked to outgoing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and to the new leader (Modi). The US and EU have imposed a series of sanctions on Russia, including visa bans and asset freezes, over its annexation of Crimea - an autonomous peninsula within Ukraine with a Russian ethnic majority - in March and alleged support for pro-Russian rebels who have seized control of parts of eastern Ukraine.
Putin said Russia was thankful to the Indian leaders and the people for their well-considered position on the Ukraine crisis.
He said Indian leaders saw the problem and considered all its components in an historical perspective and with a deep analysis of Russia-India relations. “We are grateful to them for this,” he said, adding that sanctions are only counter-productive.
Putin also referred to remarks made by Indian participants in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum yesterday and said potential between India and Russia in economy has not been fully tapped.
