Modi on official visit to Moscow, first since 2019
Modi last visited Russia in 2019, when he attended the Eastern Economic Forum and the annual bilateral summit, a process instituted in 2000. The last talks between the two leaders were in December 2021, during Putin’s visit to India.
By IAR Desk
New Delhi: 08.07.2025: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modihas left for an official visit to Moscow starting from today. He will co-chair the 22nd Russia-India Annual Summit with President Vladimir Putin. This is Modi’s first official visit after being sworn in for a third term as India’s prime minister after elections in June.
Modi last visited Russia in 2019, when he attended the Eastern Economic Forum and the annual bilateral summit, a process instituted in 2000. The last summit between the two leaders took place in December 2021, during Putin’s visit to India.
While the announcement has already raised eyebrows across the globe, it is emblematic of the fact that India will continue to do a balancing act under Modi 3.0 and reassure Russia of its goodwill and partnership.
Given that this will be the first bilateral summit between India and Russia since the latter began its “special military operations” in Ukraine in February 2022, the Ukraine conflict and trade — which has reached unprecedented levels mainly on account of discounted Russian oil — will obviously be at the top of the agenda. The two countries are also set to upgrade their defence relations with a new agreement that will involve joint deployment of troops, warships, and fighter jets — something India has never done with any other country. An agreement on logistics support is on the cards too.
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said at a media briefing that Modi will arrive in Moscow on Monday afternoon and will attend a private dinner with the Russian president in the evening.
