Ufa (Russia): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met Russian President Vladimir Putin here, and held bilateral talks ahead of the BRICS and SCO multilateral summits scheduled in this Russian city.

"It is very special to be in Russia, a nation whose remarkable friendship with India has always been known," Modi said in a statement.

"I am hopeful of productive meetings and interactions at the BRICS and SCO Summits, forums we attach immense importance to," he said.