India PM Modi to Meet Putin in First Trip to Russia Since Ukraine War Began

Historical Context: India and Russia have shared a robust relationship since the Cold War era, characterized by strong defense and trade ties. The Soviet Union was a major supplier of military equipment to India, and this relationship continued even after the dissolution of the USSR. However, the dynamics have evolved, especially with the recent geopolitical shifts due to the Ukraine conflict and India’s growing ties with the United States.

Article: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Russia on July 8 and 9, marking his first trip to the country since the onset of the Ukraine war. During this visit, Modi will engage in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin has announced that the talks will focus on the “prospects for further development of traditionally friendly Russian-Indian relations, as well as relevant issues on the international and regional agenda.”

Modi, who secured a third term in office in June, last visited Moscow in 2015. Although he has met Putin multiple times at international summits and maintained frequent phone communications, this visit is significant given the current global context.

The trip aims to reaffirm the longstanding ties between India and Russia, which date back to the Cold War. Russia remains a crucial trading partner for India, especially in the realms of weapons and defense. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that the leaders would “review the entire range of multifaceted relations between the two countries and exchange views on contemporary regional and global issues of mutual interest.” The summit is scheduled for July 9.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, India’s role as a key trading partner for Moscow has grown, particularly in the energy sector. India and China have become major buyers of Russian oil following sanctions imposed by the US and its allies, which have restricted Russia’s access to Western markets.

Under Modi’s leadership, India has refrained from condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine, instead emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution. However, the partnership between Moscow and Delhi has faced challenges, especially as Russia has developed closer ties with China’s main rival, India, due to the Ukraine conflict. Modi recently skipped a summit of a security grouping created by Moscow and Beijing to counter Western alliances, sending Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to represent India at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Jaishankar raised concerns about Indian nationals caught in the Ukraine conflict with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, following the deaths of at least two Indians coerced into fighting for the Russian army.

Modi’s increasingly close relationship with the US has also tested India-Russia relations. The US ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, mentioned that the US is in continuous communication with India about collaborating to hold Russia accountable.

Modi’s last visit to Russia was in 2019 for an economic forum in Vladivostok. Putin last met Modi in September 2022 at an SCO summit in Uzbekistan. In 2021, Putin traveled to Delhi for talks with Modi.

In the early 1990s, the Soviet Union supplied a significant portion of India’s military equipment. However, due to the disruptions caused by the Ukraine conflict, India has been diversifying its defense procurements, increasingly sourcing from the US, Israel, France, and Italy.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• Visit Details: Modi to visit Russia on July 8-9, first trip since Ukraine war began.
• Discussion Topics: Focus on Russian-Indian relations and international/regional issues.
• Historical Ties: India-Russia relations date back to the Cold War, with strong defense and trade links.
• Current Context: India’s role as a key trading partner for Russia has grown post-Ukraine invasion.
• India’s Stance: India has avoided condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine, emphasizing peaceful resolution.
• Challenges: Russia’s closer ties with China and Modi’s growing relationship with the US have tested India-Russia relations.
• Recent Interactions: Modi skipped a recent security summit, sending Foreign Minister Jaishankar instead.
• Defense Procurement: India is diversifying its defense sources due to disruptions in Russian supply lines.
• Historical Military Dependence: In the early 1990s, the Soviet Union was a major supplier of military equipment to India.