PM congratulates Medvedev, says Russia is special

Dmitri Medvedev, 42, a long-time ally of former Russian president Vladimir Putin, was sworn in as president at a Kremlin function.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday hailed Dmitri Medvedev after he was sworn in as Russia's third president and underlined the “special place” Moscow occupies in India's foreign policy.

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In a felicitating him, Manmohan Singh wished Medvedev “every success in his high responsibilities”, a statement from the external affairs ministry said here.

Manmohan Singh emphasised the nature of special ties between the two countries, saying India “draws immense satisfaction from its strategic partnership with Russia.

“This partnership is based on deep mutual trust, warm people-to-people bonds and long-standing multi-faceted cooperation. Relations with Russia occupy a special priority in India's foreign policy,” the prime minister said.

“In accordance with the successful practice of bilateral summits between India and Russia, the prime minister has also extended an invitation to President Medvedev to visit India,” the statement said.

Medvedev, 42, a long-time ally of former Russian president Vladimir Putin, was sworn in as president at a Kremlin function on Wednesday. Manmohan Singh visited Moscow in November last year.