Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Thursday that preparations are in progress for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to India. Speaking at a conference organized by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) on the evolving bilateral agenda between Russia and India, Lavrov confirmed that Putin has accepted an official invitation extended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“A visit by the Russian head of state to the Republic of India is currently being prepared,” Lavrov was quoted as saying by Russian news agency TASS. He also highlighted that Prime Minister Modi chose Russia as the destination for his first foreign visit following his re-election last year, stating, “Now it’s our turn.”
Diplomatic Engagements and Unconfirmed Speculations
While the exact dates for President Putin’s visit remain undisclosed, earlier reports in February by TASS suggested a "high probability" of Prime Minister Modi attending Russia’s annual military parade at Moscow’s Red Square, held in commemoration of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. However, sources familiar with the matter, speaking on the condition of anonymity, have indicated that while Russia extended an invitation, a visit by the Indian leader was not under active consideration.
Prime Minister Modi’s most recent visit to Russia in July 2024 marked his first trip to the country in nearly five years. During this visit, Modi formally invited President Putin to India, further reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Putin’s First Visit to India Since 2021
Should the visit proceed as planned, it would be President Putin’s first trip to India since December 2021, when he attended the annual India-Russia summit. The forthcoming visit would also mark his first since the onset of Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine in 2022.
The diplomatic engagement is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including defense, trade, energy, and geopolitical strategy, particularly in the context of evolving global dynamics.
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