Modi to meet Putin in Moscow to chart out its course
India is determined to maintain its close ties with Russia despite pressure from the West. Russia sees the meeting as an opportunity to show that it still has influential friends.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Moscow this evening, his first visit to Russia since he began his campaign in Ukraine. Denis Manturov, the first deputy prime minister of Russia, met him at the airport.
“I look forward to further deepening the special and privileged strategic partnership between our countries,” Prime Minister Modi said after arriving in Moscow. Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, will speak with him tomorrow.
Mr Putin will host a private dinner for Prime Minister Modi tonight ahead of the 22nd India-Russia Summit in Moscow tomorrow.
“To advance their unique partnership, the Prime Minister will have crucial conversations with President Vladimir Putin. He will also engage with the Indian community residing in Russia, according to Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesman for the External Affairs Ministry, on X.
Prime Minister Modi is walking a fine line between maintaining long-standing ties with Moscow and further strengthening Western security ties. This visit is also Prime Minister Modi’s first visit after returning to power for the third time.
Russia is a major supplier of cheap oil and arms to India. In recent years Western powers have also developed ties with India as a shield against China and its growing influence in the Asia-Pacific, while pressuring it to distance itself from Russia.
