Putin To Host PM Modi In Moscow, Kremlin Jabs At 'Jealous West' On India-Russia Relations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Moscow on Monday at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the 22nd India-Russia summit, taking place on July 8 and 9.

This visit marks Modi's first trip to Russia in nearly five years and his first since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. His previous visit was in 2019 when he attended an economic conclave in Vladivostok.

The Kremlin has described the relations between the two nations as "traditionally friendly," with both leaders planning to further develop these ties. Discussions will include "current issues of the international and regional agenda," according to Russian news agency TASS.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that the agenda for Modi's visit will be extensive, with opportunities for both formal and informal talks.

"Obviously, the agenda will be extensive, if not to say over busy. It will be an official visit, and we hope that the heads will be able to talk in an informal way as well," Peskov stated.

Peskov also highlighted the importance of the visit, describing it as "very important and full-fledged."

He remarked that the West is "jealous and closely monitoring" Modi's upcoming visit to Russia.

"They are jealous - that means they are closely monitoring it. Their close monitoring means they attach great importance to it. And they are not mistaken, there is something to attach great importance to," Peskov added.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the strategic nature of the visit, noting that India's economic relationship with Russia has "grown tremendously" at the leadership level.

"It is a way of taking stock of any relationship... One of the biggest changes has been, that our economic relationship with Russia has grown tremendously...at the leadership level, it will be a great opportunity for PM Modi and (Russian) President Putin to sit down and directly talk to each other," Jaishankar told news agency ANI.

The annual summit between the Indian Prime Minister and the Russian President serves as the highest institutional dialogue mechanism in the strategic partnership between the two nations.

The last summit took place on December 6, 2021, in New Delhi, during President Putin's visit to India.

(With agency inputs)