NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India in the near future, announced Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday.
While exact dates are yet to be finalised, the announcement signals a significant step in fortifying the long-standing partnership between the two nations.
“I hope soon we’ll work out the precise dates of his visit… Of course, after two visits of Prime Minister Modi to Russia, now we have a visit of President to India, so we’re looking forward to it,” said Peskov. He then talked about the role of Russia in India China relations. He said, “We are glad that the two leaders, the leader of India and the leader of China, had the opportunity to hold their bilateral meeting in Kazan, Russia. And this was really good news for everybody in the world. But again, this was a bilateral initiative of India and China, with no interference from abroad, from us. So we were only the organisers of that summit… Of course, being friends of New Delhi and Beijing, we are ready to contribute in every possible way to normalising relations between our two friends.”
India and Russia have had multiple meets this year focused on strengthening their bilateral ties and the Ukraine war. Last week, Russia’s deputy prime minister Denis Manturov exchanged views with PM Modi on enhancing India-Russia cooperation in various areas, including trade and economic ties, energy, connectivity among others.
Meanwhile, last month, PM Modi held bilateral talks in Kazan with Russian President Vladimir Putin as the Brics summit. The two leaders talked about the Ukraine war as PM Modi said that he wanted the Ukraine conflict to be resolved peacefully and “quickly”. Further talking about the relations between the two nations, Putin had hailed what he called Russia and India’s “privileged strategic partnership” and vowed to build ties further.
PM Modi had made another visit to Russia in July, his first since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and also his first bilateral visit since Putin winning a third term in the elections.
During the talks, the PM had appreciated discussions with Putin regarding the Ukraine conflict. “I am happy that we were able to openly lay our thoughts on the Ukraine issue, were able to discuss it and tried to understand each other’s opinion with due respect,” PM Modi said.”India is ready to provide all necessary support in achieving peace. I am happy to hear your positive thoughts…I would like to assure you as well the world that India is on the side of peace. A hope has emerged in me after listening to President Putin. I thank you a lot for this,” he added.
Meanwhile, Putin had said they discussed the war during informal talks and he thanked PM Modi for “trying” to find ways to resolve the conflict.
