Putin visit to take ties to newer heights: PM Modi tweets as Russian President arrives
India and Russia would seek to outline a joint vision of their ties and also ink major agreements in the field of energy, defence and trade as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold talks under the 15th Annual India-Russia Summit on Thursday. Putin, who arrived Wednesday night on a 24-hour visit, was welcomed by Modi via Twitter, saying he looks forward to a "productive visit that will take India-Russia ties to newer heights". Modi tweeted his welcome in Russian and then in English. Putin's visit comes at a time when the Russian economy is buffeted by Western economic sanctions over Ukraine and falling oil prices that has led to a sharp tumble of the rouble. India has already laid the ground for taking forward the ties by stating clearly that it "cannot be party" to any economic sanctions against its old friend.
The talks, being held at Hyderabad House, are the first full-fledged summit between India and Russia after the Modi government took office in May. After the delegation level talks, both sides will witness the inking of agreements and there will be press statements by both the leaders. Putin, who brought along with him a 15-member team of top business honchos, will attend an interaction with CEOs at the same venue. He will then inaugurate the World Diamond Conference at Vigyan Bhavan, and later meet President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the evening before leaving for home at night.
India Today
Obama Visits Ramallah For Talks With Palestinian Authority Leaders, His Arrival Is Marked By Rocket Fire From Gaza Into Southern Israel
President Barack Obama meets with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday. Reuters
President Obama arrived on Thursday in the West Bank for talks with the head of the Palestinian Authority, but attention quickly turned to rockets fired by Gaza-based Palestinian militants into southern Israel.
The incident caused no injuries but underscored Palestinian frustration with Obama, whom they see as uninterested in promoting a two-state solution, the Washington Post reported.
Obama is set to return to Jerusalem later Thursday to give a speech that the White House is advertising as the highlight of the President’s trip, codenamed “Unbreakable Alliance.”
The Ramallah visit followed an unexpectedly close display of union between Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who have not always had the most cordial of relations.