Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India in the near future, marking his first trip to the country since the escalation of the Ukraine crisis in 2022. The Kremlin confirmed the visit through spokesman Dmitry Peskov during an online meeting with Indian journalists on Tuesday. While the exact dates of the visit are yet to be finalized, Peskov noted that the announcement would be made soon.
This will be Putin’s first visit to India since December 2021, when he attended the India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi, alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The upcoming visit comes at a time of heightened global tensions, particularly surrounding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and signifies the continued strong diplomatic relationship between Russia and India.
Peskov emphasized the significance of the visit, noting that it reflects the close and growing interaction between the two countries. He stated, “I hope soon we’ll work out the precise dates of his visit. Our leaders are exchanging visits, so after two visits of Prime Minister Modi to Russia, now we have a visit of the president to India, so we’re looking forward to it.” Modi’s visits to Russia earlier this year have underscored the strategic partnership between the nations.
The planned visit comes just weeks after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi traveled to Russia for the BRICS summit in Kazan, where he extended an official invitation to Putin. In July, Modi also met with Putin in Moscow for face-to-face talks, where the two leaders discussed various issues, including the ongoing Ukraine conflict and broader geopolitical matters. Modi has consistently emphasized that any resolution to the crisis must come through “dialogue and diplomacy” rather than military means.
The relationship between India and Russia has long been defined by strong defense cooperation and mutual economic interests. Since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, India has notably abstained from condemning Russia or imposing sanctions, despite intense pressure from Western nations. This position has allowed India to continue its strategic partnership with Russia, particularly in the energy sector.
One of the most significant developments in recent years has been India’s growing imports of Russian oil. Since the conflict’s escalation, India has emerged as one of the key consumers of Russian energy, despite criticism from Western partners. The economic ties between the two countries have flourished, with trade reaching an impressive $65 billion in 2023. Moscow and New Delhi have set a target of $100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, aiming to further deepen their economic cooperation in the coming years.
