Russian President Vladimir Putin extended New Year greetings to India and said that the G20 and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) presidencies will open new opportunities for building multi-dimensional Russia-India cooperation for the benefit of people, according to the statement released by the Kremlin site.

Putin emphasised in letters to his Indian counterpart, President Murmu, and PM Modi that the two nations would continue to forge their privileged strategic partnership and implement significant trade and economic projects as well as energy and military technology initiatives.

“I am confident that India's recently started SCO and G20 presidencies will open new opportunities for building multi-dimensional Russia-India cooperation for the benefit of our peoples, in the interests of strengthening stability and security in Asia and the entire world," Vladimir Putin said.

Earlier, on Wednesday, UK Ambassador to India Alex Ellis wished India a "Happy New Year" and said that the relationship between the two countries has become stronger this year.

Ellis claimed that 2022 was a terrific year for both India and the UK and that this year had strengthened their ties. Ellis noted that India and the UK started talks on a free trade agreement in 2022 when discussing their economic ties.

"Secondly, on climate change and sustainability, we have been supporting India's rapid transition toward a green economy for example, investment in the Mahindra EV Company. Thirdly, on health, building on the great work of Covishield, we now have Ebola vaccines manufactured in India with UK technology going to Africa," Ellis said.

Image courtesy: Representative image/NDTV