Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to Russia for the annual India-Russia Summit next month. This visit will mark Modi’s first visit to Russia in five years and his first bilateral foreign trip in his third term as Prime Minister. Although he recently attended the G7 summit in Italy, that visit was multilateral in nature. The last time Modi visited Russia was in September 2019 for the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, which was not a summit-level visit and did not take place in Moscow.
Preparing for the Visit
Russian media reports, quoting Yuri Ushakov, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation, have confirmed the preparation for Modi’s visit. While the final dates and agenda are yet to be officially announced by New Delhi, the visit comes at a significant time, with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and deepening crisis in West Asia. Ushakov stated, “I can confirm that we are preparing a visit by the Prime Minister of India. We cannot (say) the dates yet, because the dates are announced by the parties in agreement. But we are actively preparing, I will emphasize again, this visit will take place.”
India-Russia Annual Summit
The last bilateral annual summit between India and Russia occurred in 2021 when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India. The focus during that summit was on the situation in Afghanistan and the India-China standoff following the Galwan Valley clash. Despite the absence of the summit for the past two years due to various reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the ties between the two countries have deepened. Earlier this month, Putin had a telephone conversation with Modi, congratulating him on his third term as Prime Minister.
The tradition of the annual summit between India and Russia began in October 2000 during President Putin’s visit to India. The last summit took place in December 2021 in New Delhi, with President Putin attending. If Modi’s visit materializes, it will be his first to Russia since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022.
A Strengthened Relationship
India and Russia share a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,” focusing on key pillars such as defence, energy, and connectivity. Ahead of the summit, in an effort to enhance interoperability between the armed forces of both sides, Russia has approved a military logistics pact with India.
Energy Sector
In spite of Western pressure, India’s import of Russian unrefined oil has essentially expanded over the past two years.
In the energy sector, India’s import of Russian crude oil has significantly increased over the past two years, despite Western pressure. Connectivity projects, such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor, are also central to bilateral cooperation, aiming to facilitate trade and strengthen economic ties between the two countries.
BRICS Summit and Future Prospects
Since Russia holds the BRICS presidency this year, it will be hosting the BRICS summit in Kazan later this year in October, where PM Modi is expected to participate, given India is a key member of the grouping.
President Putin has invited Modi to visit Russia on multiple occasions, including during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit last year. The BRICS summit presents another opportunity for Modi to engage with Russia and other member countries on various global and regional issues.
Strategic Importance
Modi’s visit to Russia holds significant strategic importance. It comes at a time when global geopolitics is witnessing a shift, and India’s role as a major player on the international stage is becoming more pronounced. The deepening crisis in West Asia and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict add layers of complexity to Modi’s visit. These issues will likely be on the agenda during his discussions with Russian leadership.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Russia is poised to strengthen the long-standing partnership between the two countries. With defence, energy, and connectivity projects at the forefront, the visit underscores the significance of the India-Russia relationship in a rapidly changing global landscape. As both nations prepare for the visit, the world will be watching closely, anticipating the outcomes of this crucial engagement between two strategic partners.