Narendra Modi recalls his Russia visit as CM with Vajpayee 16 years ago

St Petersburg: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today recalled his visit to Russia 16 years ago as part of an official Indian delegation and said he was privileged to be in the country as the prime minister.

Addressing a joint press event with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Modi recalled that he visited Russia within a month after becoming chief minister of Gujarat in 2001.

"Sixteen years ago, I came here as part of a delegation. The then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and President Putin was standing here when I was signing an agreement as chief minister," the 66-year-old leader said.

"Today, I have the privilege to stand here as Prime Minister" of India, Modi said.

Modi served as the chief minister of Gujarat since October 2001 before becoming the prime minister in 2014.