Putin’s India Visit in the Works, Confirms Lavrov

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India soon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Thursday. Speaking at a conference hosted by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), Lavrov confirmed that arrangements are underway for the visit.

“(Russian) President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation to visit from the Indian head of government,” Lavrov was quoted as saying by Russian news agency Tass. “A visit by the Russian head of state to the Republic of India is currently being prepared.”

Lavrov also recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made Russia his first foreign visit after his re-election last year. “Now it’s our turn,” he remarked, indicating the significance of reciprocal diplomacy between the two nations.

Although the exact dates for Putin’s visit are yet to be finalized, the development signals a continued strengthening of India-Russia relations.

Modi-Putin Ties & Recent Diplomatic Engagements

Prime Minister Modi last visited Russia in July 2024, marking his first trip to the country in nearly five years. During that visit, Modi extended an invitation to Putin, who last came to India in December 2021 for an annual summit. If finalized, this visit will be Putin’s first since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Earlier in February, reports suggested a “high probability” of PM Modi attending the annual military parade in Moscow’s Red Square. However, Indian officials later clarified that no such visit was under consideration.

As geopolitical dynamics evolve, Putin’s potential visit to India is expected to cover key discussions on trade, defense, and global security, reinforcing the long-standing India-Russia partnership.

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