Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Russia for the first time since the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine, underscoring the deepening ties between New Delhi and Moscow despite India’s close relationship with Washington.
Preparations are underway for Modi’s visit to Moscow, with dates to be announced soon, Kremlin spokesperson Yuri Ushakov confirmed via Russia’s state-owned TASS news agency. “I can confirm that we are preparing a visit by the Prime Minister of India,” Ushakov stated. “I can’t say about the dates yet, because the dates are announced by the parties in agreement. But we are actively preparing. And this visit will happen.”
The visit will mark Modi’s first trip to Russia since 2019 and follows his recent narrow re-election as prime minister. Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin last met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan in 2022, where Modi emphasized that today’s era is “not of war.” Prior to that, Putin visited New Delhi just months before launching his unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
India’s relationship with Russia, which dates back to the Cold War, has remained robust despite the Western sanctions imposed on Moscow. New Delhi has consistently abstained from UN votes condemning Russia and has avoided publicly criticizing the war in Ukraine. This diplomatic stance is partly due to India’s heavy reliance on Russian military equipment, which is crucial given its ongoing border tensions with China. Additionally, India has increased its purchases of discounted Russian crude oil, providing Russia with a significant financial lifeline amid global sanctions.
Concurrently, India’s ties with the United States have strengthened, driven by mutual concerns over China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region. Modi’s state visit to Washington in June saw him meet with President Joe Biden, further solidifying their defense, trade, and technology partnership. During this visit, Modi addressed Congress—a privilege typically reserved for close US allies—and attended a state dinner.
Despite India’s growing alignment with the US, Putin’s absence from the Group of 20 (G20) leaders’ summit in New Delhi highlighted ongoing tensions over his invasion of Ukraine. The summit’s leaders issued a consensus statement criticizing the invasion.
India remains a key player in both Western and Moscow-friendly alliances. It is a member of the Quad security grouping alongside the US, Japan, and Australia, and participates in the SCO and the BRICS bloc, which include Russia and China.
As Modi prepares for his visit to Russia, the trip symbolizes a balancing act between maintaining strategic partnerships with both global powers. This delicate diplomacy reflects India’s broader strategy of navigating complex international relationships to secure its national interests.