New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Moscow on Monday, July 8, for a two-day to participate in the 22nd India-Russia summit where he will hold extensive discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Indian government would like to shape the public focus of the visit around economic issues like trade and energy. Additionally, with the visit occurring amidst the ongoing Ukraine war, India seeks to convey to Russia that “a solution cannot be found on the battlefield,” according to official sources.
“PM is set to hold substantive discussions with President Vladimir Putin to take forward the special partnership between the two countries. He will also interact with the Indian community in Russia,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on ‘X’.
Modi’s latest visit to Russia is his first since the Ukraine war broke out in February 2022. He last visited Russia in 2019. Despite pressure from the West, India has not yet condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine and consistently pitched for a resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
Describing the India-Russia relationship as a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership”, Modi in a post on X said, “Landed in Moscow. Looking forward to further deepening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between our nations, especially in futuristic areas of cooperation. Stronger ties between our nations will greatly benefit our people.”
Landed in Moscow. Looking forward to further deepening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between our nations, especially in futuristic areas of cooperation. Stronger ties between our nations will greatly benefit our people. pic.twitter.com/oUE1aC00EN
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2024
Earlier, in his departure statement, Modi had spoken of India-Russia ties in the last 10 years, since he took over as prime minister. “The special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia has advanced over the past 10 years, including in the areas of energy, security, trade, investment, health, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges,” Modi had said in his departure statement, according to a press release from the ministry of external affairs.
“I look forward to reviewing all aspects of bilateral cooperation with my friend President Vladimir Putin and sharing perspectives on various regional and global issues,” he had added.
Russia said the agenda of the summit will be “extensive”. “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,” said Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
An Indian government official spotlighted that Denis Manturov, Russian first deputy prime minister, who received Modi was more senior to the deputy prime minister who received the Chinese President during his visit to Russia. “In a rare gesture,” the official said, “the 1st DPM Manturov will also accompany PM to the hotel from the airport in the same car.”
According to Indian officials, the protocol of having Manturov personally welcome PM Modi and accompany him to the hotel in the same car sends a strong signal about the importance Russia places on its relationship with India.
According to the officials, the protocol of having Manturov personally welcome PM Modi and accompany him to the hotel in the same car sends a strong signal about the importance Russia places on its relationship with India.
Modi will head to Austria after concluding his engagements in Russia. It will be first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Austria in over 40 years.
