In his first visit since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Russia on Monday for a two-day high-profile summit with President Vladimir Putin. The visit aims to enhance bilateral ties in energy, trade, and defence. Prime Minister Modi was received at the airport by Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister, Denis Manturov. Manturov, who had previously welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping, also accompanied Modi to his hotel in the same car.
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi arrived in Moscow on Monday on a two-day official visit to Russia. #Modi #PMModi #Russia #Moscow #NarendraModi #ModiInRussia #ABPLive pic.twitter.com/yKeJ2vGhKR
— ABP LIVE (@abplive) July 8, 2024
Modi was accorded a guard of honour at the airport and was welcomed at his hotel by Russian artists performing Hindi songs, reflecting the cultural camaraderie between the two nations.
Upon arrival in Moscow, PM Modi said on X, “Landed in Moscow. Looking forward to further deepening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between our nations, especially in futuristic areas of cooperation. Stronger ties between our nations will greatly benefit our people.”
Landed in Moscow. Looking forward to further deepening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between our nations, especially in futuristic areas of cooperation. Stronger ties between our nations will greatly benefit our people. pic.twitter.com/oUE1aC00EN
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2024
He thanked the Indian community for their affection as he appreciated a “memorable welcome”.
A memorable welcome in Moscow! I thank the Indian community for their affection. pic.twitter.com/acTHlLQ3Rs
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2024
This visit marks Modi’s first trip to Russia since 2019, and his first since the Ukraine conflict began in February 2022. It is also his initial visit to Russia during his third term as Prime Minister. President Putin is set to host a private dinner for Modi on Monday night, ahead of the 22nd India-Russia summit scheduled for Tuesday.
Modi is expected to hold substantial discussions with Putin to advance the special partnership between the two nations. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed on ‘X’ that Modi would also engage with the Indian community in Russia during his visit.
PM @narendramodi lands in Moscow for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit.
Warmly received by First Deputy PM Denis Manturov of Russia at the airport.
PM is set to hold substantive discussions with President Vladimir Putin to take forward the special partnership between the… pic.twitter.com/j8Yezuikws
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) July 8, 2024
22nd India-Russia Summit To Focus On Trade, Energy, And Defence
In his departure statement, Modi emphasised India’s commitment to a peaceful and stable region. “We seek to play a supportive role for a peaceful and stable region,” Modi said, without directly referencing the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Following his engagements in Russia, Modi will proceed to Austria, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in over 40 years.
The summit’s agenda is expected to focus on boosting cooperation in trade, energy, and defence. The Ukraine conflict will likely feature in the discussions. Modi reiterated the strength of the India-Russia partnership, which has grown significantly over the past decade across various sectors, including energy, security, trade, investment, health, education, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
“I look forward to reviewing all aspects of bilateral cooperation with my friend President Vladimir Putin and sharing perspectives on various regional and global issues,” Modi stated. He underscored the importance of maintaining the momentum in India-Russia ties despite the Ukraine conflict, with India advocating for resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.
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Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov highlighted the extensive agenda for the summit, indicating the breadth of topics to be covered. “Obviously, the agenda will be extensive, if not to say overbusy. It will be an official visit, and we hope that the heads will be able to talk in an informal way as well,” Peskov remarked.
During the talks, Modi is expected to urge Russia to cease recruiting Indians as support staff for the Russian military and ensure the return of those still operating within the force.
These summits alternate between India and Russia, with the last held on December 6, 2021, in New Delhi. The 2021 summit resulted in the signing of 28 MoUs and agreements, along with a joint statement titled “India-Russia Partnership for Peace, Progress and Prosperity.”
Modi and Putin last held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on September 16, 2022. During that meeting, Modi urged Putin to end the conflict in Ukraine, asserting, “today’s era is not of war.”
Since the invasion of Ukraine, Modi has engaged in several telephonic conversations with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, seeking to mediate a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
