According to Russian news agency, Lavrov stated, “(Russian) President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation to visit from the Indian head of government.” “A visit by the Russian head of state to the Republic of India is currently being prepared.” Following his reelection last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first international trip to Russia, Lavrov continued. His words, “Now it’s our turn,”
The comments were made by the Russian foreign minister in a video address at the “Russia and India: Toward a New Bilateral Agenda” conference organized by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC). It has not yet been decided when Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India. A visit by the Indian prime to attend the yearly military parade in Moscow’s Red Square to commemorate the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II was “highly probable,” according to a report earlier in February.
On condition of anonymity, however, those with knowledge of the situation stated that although PM Modi had received an invitation from the Russian side, a visit was not being considered. Prime Minister Modi traveled to Russia in July 2024. Modi had not visited Russia in almost five years. Modi has invited the Russian president to come to India during the visit. The planned visit would be Vladimir Putin’s first since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and his most recent trip to India was for an annual meeting in December 2021.
