Key Highlights:
- PM Modi’s visit to Russia on July 8-9 to meet President Vladimir Putin.
- Discussions will focus on bilateral ties, international and regional issues.
- This visit marks Modi’s first to Russia since the Ukraine war began in February 2022.
Significance of the Visit:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Russia on July 8-9 is notable as it will be his first since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Kremlin announced that Modi and President Vladimir Putin will discuss prospects for further developing bilateral ties, as well as various international and regional issues.
Focus of Discussions:
According to a statement from the Kremlin, Modi and Putin will review the entire range of multifaceted relations between the two countries. They will also exchange views on contemporary regional and global issues of mutual interest. This visit underscores the importance of India’s strategic ties with Russia, especially in the context of India’s careful diplomatic balancing act between Moscow and the West.
Background and Context:
India has maintained a nuanced diplomatic stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While India has not explicitly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it has called for an international probe into incidents like the Bucha massacre and expressed concerns over nuclear threats from Russian leaders. At the UN Security Council, India has abstained from voting against Russia in several resolutions, reflecting its strategic interests and long-standing relationship with Moscow.
Economic and Strategic Ties:
India relies heavily on Russia for defense supplies and has been purchasing Russian oil at discounted prices to mitigate the impact of rising global oil prices. This economic relationship is critical for India, especially amid global economic volatility.
Historical Context:
Modi last visited Russia in 2019 for the 20th India-Russia Annual Summit in Vladivostok. The last in-person bilateral meeting between Modi and Putin was in September 2022 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, during the SCO Summit. During this meeting, Modi told Putin that “this is not the era of war,” a statement that has been echoed by Western leaders and used to press Russia to end the conflict.
Expectations from the Visit:
Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, expressed optimism about the visit, highlighting the “special privilege, strategic partnership” between the two countries. Nebenzia anticipates that the talks will further enhance the robust cooperation between Russia and India.
This visit by PM Modi is significant not only for bilateral relations but also for its potential impact on the broader geopolitical landscape, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and India’s role on the global stage.
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