‘We had to cut corners’: How the Russian delegation was overwhelmed with applicants

As India prepares to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin, the delegation expected  to arrive in New Delhi is expected to be in high spirits. The anticipation was high in Russia, as officials struggled with the number of applications to be included in the delegation.

Yuri Ushakov, aide to the president, told reporters in Moscow that the number of applicants for the delegation exceeded protocol limits due to intense interest in  cooperation. “Frankly speaking, we had to cut corners and eliminate some of those willing to participate, because the interest in cooperation with India is, one might say, enormous,” the Kremlin spokesman said.

According to Ushakov, despite significant interest in the negotiations from many parties, Russia adheres to the protocol recommendations emanating from New Delhi.

He added that the r. Ushakov, the delegation will include representatives of major businesses. “This includes Rosneft, Sberbank, VTB, and the Russian Fertilizer Producers Association,” Ushakov added.

At the same time, it was decided to include the heads of several media outlets in the delegation. Among others, it will include Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of the Rossiya Segodnya media group.

The visit will commence with an official breakfast hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in honor of Putin’s visit. There will also be a concern in honour of the President.  Official talks between the two sides will take place on Friday.   A personal meeting between Putin and the Indian President is planned for later.  A large state reception will follow the meeting.