Vladimir Putin to Visit India for First Time Since Ukraine War
Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India for the first time. According to his press secretary Dmitry Peskov, the visit will be aimed at strengthening the longstanding ties between the two nations, although the exact dates are yet to be confirmed.
Putin's upcoming trip will mark his first official visit to India since his last trip in December 2021, during the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit. This meeting is likely to be Putin's third one with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the two leaders already had the discussion twice during Modi's visits to Russia in the first half of 2024. It is worth mentioning that Modi visited Russia twice this year, and the two also met on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit and the Eastern Economic Forum in Kazan, Russia.
India and Russia, as partners under a "privileged strategic partnership," their relationship dates back to the Cold War era. Despite global geopolitical changes, the two nations have been closely linked through strong diplomatic and economic channels. The visit by Putin marks their objective of further deepening this partnership. Interestingly, India and Russia have announced their ambition to take the bilateral trade above USD 100 billion in 2030; each side then emphasized energy, agriculture, and defense sectors.
One of the major on-going issues areas in the two-way dialogue will be the reduction of dependence on third country currencies in trade-related transactions. The two countries will expand use of national currencies, thereby enhancing financial sovereignty. The two nations are also working on streamlining logistical connectivity with the newer trade routes such as the North-South Transport Corridor, which will facilitate cargo movement between India, Russia, and other regions.
Despite such strong economic ties, India still maintains a neutral status with regard to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. During his recent talks, India's Prime Minister Modi reemphasized India's stand by supporting the peaceful resolution of the conflict and offering support for humanitarian efforts. According to Modi, India always believes in dialogue and diplomacy for resolving the crisis, and India reaffirms its commitment to peace and stability in the world.
As the world watches, the future of Russia-India relations stands to be profoundly changed with President Putin's visit to India as it might also affect the global trend in geopolitics, especially with what is happening with the ongoing Ukraine crisis. It further coincides at a very important period when India is trying to make headway in furthering its role as a global leader in the promotion of peace and dialogue.
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