UPDATE - Putin welcomes opening of Indian Consulate in Russian city of Kazan

​​​​​​​ADDS REMARKS BY PUTIN, MODI; ADDS INFO ABOUT PUTIN'S MEETING WITH SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday welcomed the opening of a new Indian Consulate General in the Russian city of Kazan, the administrative center of the southwestern Tatarstan region.

Opening a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of a BRICS summit in Kazan, which began Tuesday, Putin said relations between Moscow and New Delhi continue to actively develop and have the character of a privileged partnership.

"We welcome your decision to open the consulate general of India in Kazan. The expansion of India's diplomatic presence in Russia will contribute to the further development of bilateral relations," Putin stressed.

The Russian president also highlighted frequent contact with his Indian counterpart, saying: "We regularly exchange information over the phone."

"In Kazan, we must take a number of important decisions aimed at further improving the activities of the association and strengthening multifaceted cooperation within its framework. And we really appreciate our cooperation in this area, I mean that our states were at the origins of the creation of the association," said Putin.

Modi underscored that during the last 15 years, BRICS acquired "a unique identity" and today many countries want to join the association.

"I look forward to our BRICS discussions tomorrow," he said.

Modi said that his second visit to Russia in recent months speaks of coordination and strong friendship with Moscow, and cooperation in all areas has strengthened.

He also said that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine should be resolved peacefully, reiterating India's willingness to provide possible assistance.

The three-day summit of BRICS includes longtime members Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa -- the source of the group’s name -- along with recent additions Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is due to attend as a guest.

- Putin meets with South African president

Putin later held talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, where he praised the dynamics of bilateral trade and the strengthening of relations in general.

He said Russia attaches particular importance to strengthening relations with countries in Africa and works on the practical implementation of documents adopted following the St. Petersburg Russia-Africa summit in 2023.

"We are waiting for the head of your foreign ministry in Sochi on Nov. 9-10 at the first ministerial conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum," he told Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa visited Russia twice in 2023 -- as part of the group of leaders of the African Peace Initiative and during the second Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg. This year, Putin and Ramaphosa have spoken twice on the telephone.​​​​​​​