Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India at the end of August, according to a report by a leading Russian news agency on Thursday. The report cited remarks made by India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval during his current visit to Moscow.
“We have built a strong and valued relationship — a strategic partnership between our countries. We engage regularly at the highest levels… We were pleased to hear about President Putin’s planned visit to India later this month,” Interfax quoted NSA Doval as saying during a meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu.
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov had earlier confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India, following an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The visit is part of the long-standing commitment to hold annual summits between the two leaders.
“Our leaders have agreed to meet once a year. This time, it’s our turn,” Ushakov said during a press briefing.
Putin last visited India on December 6, 2021, for the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi.
Prime Minister Modi, on the other hand, made two key visits to Russia last year—first for the 22nd Russia-India Summit in July and later to attend the BRICS Summit in Kazan in October.
Highlighting the steady political dialogue between the two nations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that both Moscow and New Delhi share similar views on the emerging multipolar world order. He also confirmed that preparations are underway for President Putin’s upcoming visit to India.
“Relations between our countries are time-tested and built on mutual respect and shared interests,” Lavrov said at the first international conference ‘Russia and India: Towards a New Agenda for Bilateral Relations,’ which was also addressed by India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in March this year.
Lavrov added, “Prime Minister Modi made his first bilateral visit post re-election to Russia. Now it’s our turn. President Putin has accepted the invitation from the Indian Prime Minister, and preparations for his visit are ongoing.”
In June, President Putin conveyed condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi over a tragic passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad.
“Please accept my heartfelt condolences over the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. Kindly convey my sympathies to the families of the victims and best wishes for a swift recovery to the injured,” Putin said.
Earlier in May, Putin had called PM Modi to strongly condemn the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, extending Russia’s full support to India in its fight against terrorism.
The Kremlin stated that Putin expressed deep condolences for the loss of Indian lives in the “barbaric terrorist attack” and underlined the importance of an uncompromising stance against terrorism in all forms.
“The conversation reaffirmed the strategic nature of the Russia-India special and privileged partnership, which remains unaffected by external pressures and continues to strengthen across all areas,” the Kremlin statement added.
PM Modi had reiterated his invitation for Putin to visit India for the annual summit, which was accepted with appreciation. While the Russian President had also invited PM Modi to the Victory Day celebrations, the Indian Prime Minister was unable to attend.
Putin had earlier sent condolences over the terror attack in Pahalgam, expressing solidarity with the Indian leadership and people. (Sources)
