New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India in early 2025, following an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as confirmed by Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov. The visit will be part of the annual meetings between the two leaders, as they have an agreement to meet once a year. Ushakov stated that Russia has received the invitation and plans to respond positively, with tentative dates to be finalized early next year.
The visit highlights the strong ties between India and Russia, even amidst global geopolitical tensions. Putin’s trip is expected to focus on deepening cooperation in key areas such as defense, energy, and trade. His last visit to India was in December 2021, during the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit.
Prime Minister Modi, for his part, made two significant visits to Russia this year: attending the 22nd Russia-India Summit in July and the BRICS Summit in Kazan in October. At the BRICS Summit, Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to promoting peace regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the need for peaceful resolution and India’s readiness to help, especially from a humanitarian perspective.
Putin’s visit will come amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which continues to affect global diplomacy. Despite international pressure on Russia, India has maintained a neutral stance, calling for dialogue and peace. India’s non-alignment with the International Criminal Court (ICC) also allows Putin to visit without concerns about the ICC arrest warrant for alleged war crimes related to the Ukraine conflict. This makes India a secure venue for the bilateral discussions between the two nations.
As the visit draws near, the focus will likely remain on strengthening India-Russia partnerships in defense, energy, and trade, as both countries face global challenges and work to preserve their strategic relationship.