Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday reaffirmed that President Putin would visit India in the near future after Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited him during his visit to Moscow a year ago. While no dates were specified, he added, “President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation to visit from the Indian head of government.”
Lavrov also highlighted Modi’s choice of Russia for his first foreign visit after securing a third term as Prime Minister, adding, “Now it’s our turn.” This will be Putin’s first visit to India since the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022.
While they met, Modi and Putin were also expected to discuss the current war in Ukraine and the geopolitics following the comeback of Donald Trump as the President of the U.S. India has stayed impartial about the war and reminded Putin again that “it was not the era of war.” In spite of pressure from all over the world, India has stayed mum against Russia and has not voted against any of Russia’s resolutions at the United Nations that condemn Russia.
Significantly, Modi was one of the rare world leaders in 2024 to visit both Moscow and Kyiv, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He also went to Kazan in October for the BRICS Summit.
In the visit of Modi to the 22nd Russia-India Summit, his bonding with Putin took the center stage. Social media was filled with viral videos showcasing moments of shared tea, viewing a horse performance, and Putin himself driving Modi in a golf cart around his home. The affectionate hug and firm handclasp by both leaders again emphasized their rapport.
India and Russia share a decades-long strategic alliance, with Russia being a key defense supplier to India. Additionally, amid Western sanctions over the Ukraine war, Russia has offered India discounted oil. During Modi’s 2024 visit, both countries agreed to double their bilateral trade to $100 billion.
