Modi’s Moscow Visit Aims to Strengthen India-Russia Relations and Address Concerns

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Moscow from July 8 to 9 for a standalone State visit to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. This visit is expected to focus on strengthening strategic, economic, and military ties between India and Russia, and aims to counter the perception of a “drift” in their relationship, according to experts.

During their talks, Modi and Putin are expected to discuss the increase in India-Russia trade, particularly due to India’s oil imports, and address payment issues caused by Western sanctions. They will also build on previous discussions about the Chennai-Vladivostok maritime route and finalize the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS), which will facilitate more defense exchanges.

This visit marks Modi’s first trip to Moscow since 2015 and a return to the annual India-Russia summit format. Modi and Putin have met several times in different cities over the years, but the annual bilateral summit has not been held for the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and changing international circumstances.

Former Ambassador to Moscow Venkatesh Verma emphasized the importance of this visit in reversing the perception of a drift in bilateral relations. He stated that the visit is timely and necessary to rejuvenate the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Sources indicate that the final details of Modi’s program are still being finalized, with advance teams from the Ministry of External Affairs and security personnel already in Moscow to make arrangements. The visit, which is likely to be Modi’s first bilateral trip abroad in his third term, will place Russia on par with India’s closest neighbors, who are usually the first destinations for Indian Prime Ministers.

The visit will also send a message to Western countries, including the U.S. and Europe, that Modi intends to maintain a balanced approach in India’s foreign relations, even two years after the Russia-Ukraine conflict began. While there are no announced plans for Modi to visit Kyiv, he will travel to Vienna between July 9 and 10. By visiting Moscow, Modi may also signal a reduced focus on multilateral summits, especially given China’s presence. This week, he has sent External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to attend the SCO summit in Kazakhstan, and it remains to be seen if Modi will return to Russia for the BRICS summit in October.

Experts believe that Modi’s visit will provide him with a firsthand understanding of the ongoing war in Ukraine and allow discussions on sensitive issues such as the recruitment of Indians as Russian military “helpers,” which India opposes. The visit will also aim to expedite the supply of defense hardware and spares delayed by the war.

Nandan Unnikrishnan, a scholar and distinguished fellow at ORF, noted that the visit would help alleviate concerns about weakening political ties between India and Russia and allow the leaders to resolve pending issues. Unnikrishnan recently attended the “Primakov Readings International Forum” in Moscow, where Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Modi’s visit aligns perfectly with Russia’s strategic foreign policy.

Lavrov mentioned that India, like China, has chosen to conduct trade with Russia in national currencies, with about 60% of India-Russia trade now settled in them. This is despite both countries’ economic engagements with Western nations that have sanctioned Russia. Lavrov added that India and China are aware of the discriminatory nature of Western actions.

On the bilateral front, officials said that India and Russia are discussing increased investments in the Chennai-Vladivostok maritime corridor and in Siberia, with India looking to source minerals from Russia. Issues such as insurance and negotiations with transit ports, particularly in China, need to be resolved. The maritime route is seen as a more effective option than the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) or other alternatives.

(With inputs from Dinakar Peri)