India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday, marking his first visit to the Kremlin since the invasion of Ukraine. Their meeting aims to reinforce “traditionally friendly relations between Russia and India” and discuss “topical issues on the international and regional agendas,” as stated by the Kremlin.
This visit is significant as it is Modi’s first bilateral trip overseas since his reelection for a rare third term in June. The two leaders will review a range of bilateral issues, including defense, trade, investment ties, and energy cooperation, according to India’s Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra.
Key Points
- Significance of the Meeting: Modi’s first visit to the Kremlin since the Ukraine invasion and his first bilateral trip overseas since reelection.
- Agenda: Reinforcement of friendly relations, discussions on defense, trade, investment ties, energy cooperation, and regional and international issues.
- Bilateral Engagements: Status review within groupings such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, G20, BRICS, the United Nations, and the East Asia Summit.
- Human Trafficking Issue: Expected discussion on the early discharge of Indian nationals misled into serving the Russian army.
Background and Context
- Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 led to global sanctions aimed at limiting Moscow’s ability to fund the war. India has maintained a neutral stance, urging both sides to end the conflict without outright criticizing Russia.
- Economic Ties: India’s bilateral trade with Russia increased by 33% in the financial year ended March 2024, reaching an all-time high of $65.7 billion. However, trade remains imbalanced, with India importing significantly more from Russia than it exports.
- Historical Ties: India and Russia have shared a long-standing security cooperation partnership since the Cold War, with India relying heavily on Russia for military equipment.
- Modi’s Relations with China: Modi opted to skip the Shanghai Cooperation Organization annual meeting last week, signaling strained relations with China, particularly after the 2020 border clash in the western Himalayas.
Modi’s visit to Russia underscores the deep-rooted ties between the two nations and their commitment to enhancing cooperation across various sectors. Following his two-day visit to Russia, Modi will head to Vienna, Austria, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Austria in 41 years.
