PM Modi: India-Russia summit-level talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to take place in Moscow during the second week of July.
In the backdrop of the two and a half-year-old Ukrainian crisis, during which New Delhi has consistently pushed the warring parties to pursue the diplomatic route, is the yearly India-Russia conversation tour.
Pawan Kapoor, Secretary West in the Ministry of External Affairs, represented India at the recent peace negotiations on Ukraine in Switzerland. In order to achieve peace, “bringing together all stakeholders,” including India and six other countries, they chose not to sign the joint communiqué.
From the signing of the “Declaration on Strategic Partnership” in 2000, the yearly meeting between Russia and India has been a custom. This visit coincides with rumors that PM Modi may forego attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, which is scheduled for the first week of July in Astana. In light of regional developments, Modi’s decision to skip could be interpreted as a calculated move.
Discussions on security, economic cooperation, and regional stability are facilitated by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which includes states such as China, Russia, and numerous Central Asian countries. The reason behind Modi’s decision to skip the SCO meeting is the current Parliamentary session.
Russia has been India’s largest defense equipment supplier for many years. To help diversify and integrate cutting-edge technologies, India has struck multibillion dollar defense agreements with the USA and Europe in recent years. Bilateral commerce between India and Russia is increasing and has jumped significantly since the conflict in Ukraine started, hitting a record high and circling about $50 billion.
In the face of criticism from Western media, New Delhi has defended its decision to buy cheap Russian fertilizers and oil on the grounds of national interest. India is now the main supplier of fertilizer and oil to Russia as a result of this action.
