President Vladimir Putin Wednesday invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia next year, saying it will give them an opportunity to discuss all current issues and talk about the outlook for the development of bilateral relations.

“We will be glad to see our friend, Mr. Prime Minister Modi in Russia,” Putin told External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who called on the Russian leader at the Kremlin.

“We will be able to discuss all current issues, talk about the outlook for the development of Russian-Indian relations. We have a very large amount of work to do,” the Russian leader was quoted as saying by the state-run Tass news agency. He asked the Indian minister to pass on to Modi “his best wishes” and an invitation to come to Russia.

Putin said that he realised India will be busy with internal affairs next year