PM Modi’s Russia Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Moscow from July 8-9 for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit, hosted at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin.
PM Modi’s Russia Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Russia today for a significant two-day official visit. He will be in Moscow at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov shared with the Russian state channel VGTRK that PM Modi’s schedule in Moscow is anticipated to be extensive, allowing for both formal and informal discussions between the two leaders.
A Visit of Great Importance
Notably, PM Modi’s visit to Russia occurs after a three-year gap. Vinay Kumar, India’s Ambassador to Russia, emphasized to newswire ANI that the visit is “very significant” and “very important” for bilateral ties and regional and mutual interests. Breaking tradition, PM Modi is visiting Russia instead of a South Asian neighbor first after his election, at a time when Western nations are distancing themselves from Russia due to the Ukraine invasion.
The last India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit took place in New Delhi in December 2021, during which Vladimir Putin visited the Indian capital. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that the two leaders have met 16 times in the past decade. PM Modi’s previous visit to Russia was in 2019, where he attended an economic conclave in Vladivostok. India and Russia have maintained close relations since the Cold War, with Russia being India’s major arms supplier for a considerable period.
Here Are the Top 10 Updates:
1. Bilateral Discussions: According to newswire ANI, PM Modi’s agenda in Moscow includes talks with Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on regional and global issues of mutual importance.
2. Indo-Pacific Focus: Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra mentioned that Indo-Pacific developments are likely to be a significant topic, highlighting their importance to both India and Russia. “These engagements will begin with a restricted-level discussion between the two leaders, followed by delegation-level talks,” he said.
3. Engagement with the Indian Community: Modi is expected to engage with the Indian community in Russia. A community event on July 9 will highlight cultural ties between India and Russia, featuring performances by Russian artists trained in the Indian classical dance Kathak.
4. Signal of Continued Closeness: Senior diplomats informed Bloomberg that while major announcements are “unlikely”, the visit aims to “signal” that India and Russia “remain close”.
5. China Relations: Discussions are expected to address Russia’s growing ties with China, especially considering the stalled Indo-Sino relations since China’s border incursions in Ladakh in 2020.
6. Sea Aggression by China: China’s assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region is also likely to be discussed. As a member of the Quad grouping with the US, Japan, and Australia, India aims to counterbalance China’s increasing dominance.
7. Predictability and Peace Promotion: “India, situated between Russia, China, and the West, seeks more predictability from Russia and is willing to play a bigger role in promoting peace in Ukraine,” stated Petr Topychkanov of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
8. Trade Imbalance: Kwatra highlighted that discussions are also likely about the trade imbalance, with India importing $60 billion worth of Russian goods but exporting only $5 billion to Russia.
9. Human Cost in Ukraine War: Nandan Unnikrishnan from the Observer Research Foundation mentioned that the “human cost” for Indians in the Ukraine war is likely to be discussed. Reports allege that some Indians in Russia were forced to engage in combat and lost their lives in Ukraine.
10. Negotiations for Indian Citizens: While India has not explicitly condemned Russia for the Ukraine war, it is “actively negotiating” the release of its citizens recruited for “support jobs” with the Russian military, according to an AFP report.
PM Modi’s Russia visit holds substantial significance for the bilateral relations between India and Russia. The discussions with President Putin are expected to address critical issues, including trade, China’s assertiveness, and the human cost of the Ukraine conflict. As India and Russia continue to strengthen their ties, this visit could mark a pivotal moment in their diplomatic and strategic relationship.
Stay updated on the outcomes of PM Modi’s Russia visit and its implications for India-Russia relations by following our comprehensive coverage.
