India’s Modi lands in Russia for talks with Putin in first visit since start of Ukraine war

The summit will provide an opportunity to the two leaders to review the whole range of bilateral issues, Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi last week, adding that Modi and Putin will also share perspectives on regional and global developments of mutual interest.. . India remains heavily reliant on the Kremlin for its military equipment and has ramped up purchases of discounted Russian crude oil, giving Putins nation a major financial lifeline as it faces isolation from the West.. . Trade between the two countries was worth nearly $65 billion in 2023-24, primarily due to strong energy cooperation,but most of that total flowed toward Russia, Jaiswal said.. . Reducing the trade imbalance would be a matter of priority in Modis discussions with Putin, he added.. . Modi last met with Putin on the sidelines of the 2022 SCO meeting in Uzbekistan, when he told the Russian leader: Now is not the time for war.. ..

But while India has called for a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and restoration of peace, it has also abstained from all resolutions on Ukraine at the United Nations and stopped short of condemning Russias invasion.. . . I look forward to reviewing all aspects of bilateral cooperation with my friend President Vladimir Putin and sharing perspectives on various regional and global issues, Modi said in a statement from his office before departing for Russia..

The visit also comes as Russia draws ever closer to China, potentially making New Delhi uncomfortable due to its longstanding Himalayan border dispute with Beijing, which has simmered in recent years.. . Modis trip follows Putins return from Kazakhstan, where the Russian leader last week attended the annual leaders meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a bloc of Eurasian countries spearheaded by China and Russia, at which he claimedMoscow-Beijing relations were experiencing the best period in their history...

That is one of the reasons that Mr. Modi is undertaking this trip because traditionally, the Soviet Union and then subsequently Russia, has been a balancer in our relationship with China, which has been not the best since the late 50s of the last century, he said.. . . Despite India being an SCO member, Modi was visibly absent from the meeting in Kazakhstan, indicating to some analysts that the leader of the worlds largest democracy does not view the bloc as an effective channel through which New Delhi can pursue its interests.. . Modis visit to Russia is also widely seen as the latest dent in efforts by Western leaders to cast Putin aside.. ..

Despite undermining Western sanctions by purchasing large quantities of Russian oil, New Delhi has remained close with the United States, a key partner as both countries share concerns over Chinas assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.. . Modi met with US President Joe Biden during astate visit to Washingtonin June last year, in a trip further cementing their defense, trade and technology partnership..

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