Putin: India’s entry to SCO will result in closer Russia-India cooperation

India’s entry to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in 2017 will lead to closer Russian-Indian cooperation, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday at the meeting with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the SCO summit in Tashkent.

"This will provide us with an opportunity for closer work with our Indian friends, now at the floor of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization," the Russian President said.

India chairs BRICS this year, Putin said. "We put high hopes on your leadership in this organization," he said. India’s presidency will also promote "consolidation of this recognized international organization, whose influence is continuously growing," Putin added.

India is a special strategic partner of Russia and both countries have long-standing friendship traditions, Putin said. This fully reflects close contacts between Russia and India, he added.

First published by TASS.

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