Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a two-day visit to Moscow from July 8 to July 9 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit. This marks Modi’s first visit to Russia since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and his first visit since 2019 when he attended an economic forum in Vladivostok.
PM Modi is scheduled to arrive in Russia by Monday afternoon (IST). The annual summit between Modi and Putin serves as the highest institutional dialogue mechanism within the strategic partnership between the two nations. During their meeting, the leaders will review the extensive and multifaceted relations between India and Russia, and exchange views on contemporary regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Modi’s agenda in Moscow includes a private meeting with Putin, delegation-level talks, restricted discussions, a lunch hosted by Putin, and a visit to the VDNKH Complex’s Rosatom Pavilion. Additionally, he will address the Indian diaspora in Russia.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov highlighted the significance of Modi’s visit, describing the agenda as “extensive” and allowing for both formal and informal talks between the leaders. “Obviously, the agenda will be extensive, if not to say overbusy. It will be an official visit, and we hope that the heads will be able to talk in an informal way as well. We are expecting a very important and full-fledged visit, which is so crucial for Russian-Indian relations,” Peskov stated.
Peskov also emphasized the strategic partnership between Russia and India, noting that both one-on-one discussions in the Kremlin and broader delegation talks are planned. He added that the West is closely monitoring Modi’s visit, indicating its significance on the global stage.
Meanwhile, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar remarked on the importance of Modi’s visit, calling it a great opportunity for direct talks on various issues, including trade imbalances. “There are issues…like the trade imbalance…So, at a leadership level, it will be a great opportunity for Prime Minister Modi and President Putin to sit down and directly talk to each other. And then obviously, as per their directions, we will see how to take the relationship forward,” Jaishankar said.
This visit comes after multiple telephonic conversations between Modi and both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which Modi stressed the need to end the conflict that has affected the global economy.
Following the Moscow visit, PM Modi will travel to Austria for a two-day visit from July 9 to July 10.
