Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended an official invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit India, with the dates for this high-level visit expected to be confirmed in early 2025, as reported by the Kremlin on Monday. This invitation marks an important step in the continued strengthening of the bilateral relationship between India and Russia. The visit, once confirmed, will follow an ongoing agreement between the two leaders to hold annual meetings, with this year’s meeting being Russia’s turn to host the summit.
Kremlin spokesperson Yury Ushakov confirmed that President Putin had received the invitation from Prime Minister Modi and that Russia would “certainly consider it positively.” He also mentioned that the tentative dates for Putin’s visit to India will be decided in the first months of 2025. This planned visit is a key element of the strategic partnership between India and Russia, built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to continued dialogue and cooperation across various fields.
Since the beginning of the Ukraine war, President Putin has limited his international travel, but the planned trip to India signals the importance both countries place on their longstanding bilateral relations. Over the years, Prime Minister Modi and President Putin have maintained regular contact through telephone conversations, which occur every couple of months. In addition to these calls, both leaders have met in person at various international events, emphasizing the significance of their partnership.
In July 2024, Prime Minister Modi travelled to Moscow for the 22nd Russia-India Summit, where the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues. Later, in October, the Prime Minister visited Kazan, Russia, for the BRICS Summit, during which the two leaders held another bilateral meeting to further strengthen their diplomatic ties.
The upcoming visit by President Putin to India will further solidify the close diplomatic and strategic ties between the two countries, focusing on mutual interests and expanding cooperation in areas such as defence, trade, energy, and regional security. The high-profile visit will also serve to reaffirm the growing partnership between India and Russia at a time of significant geopolitical shifts.
