Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to India from December 4 to 5 at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
An official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said that, “During the visit Putin will attend the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit and hold talks with PM Modi,” as reported by news agency ANI.
As per the information received by MEA, President Murmu will also receive Putin and host a banquet in his honour.
“Russian President Vladimir Putin will provide an opportunity for the leadership of India and Russia to review progress in bilateral relations, outline the vision for strengthening the `Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership`, and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest,” the MEA statement said.
The upcoming visit of the Russian President will mark his first visit to India since 2021. PM Modi and Putin last met in person on September 1 this year in Tianjin, China, on the sidelines of the SCO Summit.
Furthermore, the Kremlin has described Putin`s upcoming visit to India as an important moment for both nations. Russian state news agency TASS cited a Kremlin statement, “The visit is of great importance, providing an opportunity to comprehensively discuss the extensive agenda of Russian-Indian relations within the particularly privileged strategic partnership in the political, trade, economic, scientific, technological, cultural, and humanitarian spheres, as well as to consider topical international and regional issues,” as cited by news agency ANI.
The statement from Russian authorities further asserted that “these issues will be at the heart of negotiations with the Indian delegation led by [Prime Minister] Narendra Modi,” as cited by news agency ANI.
Building on this announcement, the Ministry of External Affairs had yesterday said that preparations for the annual summit are already underway, with Putin`s December arrival aligning with the state visit outlined by the MEA.
Furthermore, the MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to media queries during the weekly briefing, said that dates will be announced soon and noted that both nations are working to further strengthen bilateral ties.
Earlier last week, the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Putin in Moscow ahead of the annual summit. Union Minister for External Affairs Jaishankar had also conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s greetings during the meeting.
Following the discussions, Jaishankar, while posting on social media, said that, “I was honoured to call on President Putin of Russia in Moscow today. Conveyed greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Apprised him of preparations underway for the upcoming Annual India-Russia Summit. Also discussed regional and global developments. Deeply value his perspectives and guidance on further advancement of our ties.”
(With inputs from ANI)