Russia’s Putin Discusses Bilateral Ties, BRICS with India’s Modi in Phone Call

 India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets as he leaves after attending the third day of the three-day B20 Summit in New Delhi on August 27, 2023. (AFP)
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets as he leaves after attending the third day of the three-day B20 Summit in New Delhi on August 27, 2023. (AFP)
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Russia’s Putin Discusses Bilateral Ties, BRICS with India’s Modi in Phone Call

 India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets as he leaves after attending the third day of the three-day B20 Summit in New Delhi on August 27, 2023. (AFP)
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets as he leaves after attending the third day of the three-day B20 Summit in New Delhi on August 27, 2023. (AFP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed bilateral ties including trade, energy and space cooperation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by phone, the Kremlin said on Monday.

The two leaders also discussed the planned expansion of the BRICS group of emerging economies - comprising India, Russia, China, Brazil and South Africa - as well as a summit of the G20 club of major economies that New Delhi will host next month.

Russia has sought to further strengthen already warm ties with India after its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 triggered sweeping Western sanctions on Moscow. India is a major buyer of Russian oil.

"Topical issues of Russian-Indian relations, which are progressively developing in the spirit of a particularly privileged strategic partnership, were considered (in the call)," the Kremlin said in a statement.

"The positive dynamics of trade and economic cooperation was affirmed," it added.

Last week Modi and Putin both took part in the BRICS summit in South Africa, though the Russian leader attended only via video link because of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for him over alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

The Kremlin, which strongly denies the ICC allegations, has said Putin will also not attend the G20 gathering in India.

Both Russia and India launched lunar probes this month, but only the Indian one landed successfully on the moon while the Russian craft crashed.



Global Corporate Social Responsibility Forum to Kick off in Riyadh on Monday

A view of the Saudi capital Riyadh. (Getty Images)
A view of the Saudi capital Riyadh. (Getty Images)
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Global Corporate Social Responsibility Forum to Kick off in Riyadh on Monday

A view of the Saudi capital Riyadh. (Getty Images)
A view of the Saudi capital Riyadh. (Getty Images)

The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development will hold in Riyadh on Monday the inaugural Global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Forum under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The event, held under the theme "From Commitment to Impact", aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030 and the ministry's strategy to promote social responsibility by driving the Kingdom's development and building economic partnerships to foster a vibrant and collaborative society.

The forum will feature an extensive program that showcases local and international success stories, fosters communication among participants, and facilitates the exchange of insight and expertise in adopting sustainable policies globally.

Over 40 panel discussions led by more than 100 experts from 60 countries are planned during the forum. Participants include local and international ministers, private sector CEOs, experts, specialists, and decision makers.

Discussions will focus on the role social responsibility plays in aligning business strategies with the Saudi Vision 2030, global sustainability, and the role of modern technology toward reaching set goals.

The sessions will cover the use of AI to enable social responsibility and digital transformation, social responsibility in the industrial and financial sectors, corporate social responsibility initiatives that support the business environment and smart cities, and boost the global impact of corporate social responsibility.

The two-day forum will underscore Saudi Arabia's rising international status as one of the world's largest and fastest-growing economies.

According to the Global Competitiveness Report, Saudi Arabia ranks 16th globally in social responsibility, which makes it a leader in addressing global challenges.