Prime Minister, Narendra Modi is set to visit Russia and Austria next week, with a key highlight being a bilateral summit with Russian President, Vladimir Putin to chart future cooperation.
The first leg of the three-day official visit will take PM Modi to Moscow on July 8-9 at Putin’s invitation for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit.
“The leaders will review the entire range of multifaceted relations between the two countries and exchange views on contemporary regional and global issues of mutual interest,” stated the External Affairs Ministry on Thursday. The summit is scheduled for July 9.
A Kremlin announcement noted that Modi and Putin will discuss “the further development of the traditionally amicable relations between Russia and India, as well as pressing international and regional issues”.
This will be Modi’s first bilateral visit in his third term following his trip to Italy last month for the G7 Summit outreach session. It will also be his first visit to Russia since 2019 and since the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The leaders are expected to address the balance of bilateral trade, currently skewed in Russia’s favor due to India’s increased purchase of Russian crude. They will review cooperation in defense, space, and nuclear energy, and explore new avenues for collaboration, including connectivity initiatives, sources familiar with the matter said.
The safe and speedy return of Indian nationals serving in the Russian military, an issue highlighted in recent discussion between External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar and Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, is expected to be discussed during Modi’s visit.
India has sought a halt to the recruitment of Indian nationals in the Russian Army following the deaths of four Indians in the conflict with Ukraine. Although India has not publicly criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it has urged both sides to cease hostilities and engage in dialogue and diplomacy. Modi’s visit to Russia underscores India’s strategic autonomy in foreign relations, sources said.
The trip has drawn attention in diplomatic circles, as Indian Prime Ministers traditionally choose a neighboring country for their first foreign visit.
From Russia, Modi will travel to Austria on July 9-10. This will be the first visit to Austria by an Indian Prime Minister in 41 years.
In Austria, Modi will meet President Alexander Van der Bellen and hold talks with Chancellor Karl Nehammer. Modi and Nehammer will also address business leaders from both countries.
Additionally, Modi will interact with members of the Indian community in Moscow and Vienna.
