India’s Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, has highlighted the significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Russia, which comes after a three-year hiatus. Speaking to ANI, Kumar emphasized the importance of this visit for both leaders to discuss bilateral relations and other regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Kumar noted the tradition of annual summit-level meetings between the Russian President and the Indian Prime Minister, with the last such meeting held in 2021. This upcoming visit marks the 22nd India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit. The 21st summit took place in December 2021 when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited New Delhi.
During his visit, PM Modi is scheduled to have a private meeting with President Putin, attend a lunch hosted by Putin, and visit an exhibition center. He will also address a gathering of the Indian community in Russia. The detailed itinerary includes delegation-level talks, restricted talks, and the signing and exchange of documents.
Kumar highlighted the substantial growth in trade between India and Russia, which has surpassed USD 65 billion. However, he pointed out that the trade balance heavily favors Russia. Efforts are underway to diversify India’s export basket to Russia, including agricultural products, ceramic tiles, auto components, and pharmaceuticals. Defense cooperation remains a crucial pillar of the bilateral relationship, with India purchasing various platforms and spare parts from Russia. Discussions will focus on further enhancing co-production of defense items in India.
Connectivity is another vital area of cooperation. The International North-South Transport Corridor and new routes like the Arctic or Northern Sea route are being explored to enhance trade and people-to-people exchanges.
During the visit, PM Modi and President Putin will review the entire spectrum of India-Russia relations and exchange views on contemporary regional and global issues. The Ministry of External Affairs noted that this visit will continue the tradition of frequent high-level interactions, with Modi and Putin having met 16 times over the past decade. Their last in-person meeting occurred during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2021.
Following his visit to Russia, PM Modi is scheduled to travel to Austria, further emphasizing the importance of his international engagements. The visit to Russia is expected to bolster India-Russia ties, reflecting the longstanding and multifaceted relationship between the two nations.
