India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Russia is seen as a strategic move to reinforce India's ties with Moscow and counterbalance China's influence. Analysts say this visit could alleviate concerns that India is leaning too much towards the West.
Although exact dates are not confirmed, Indian media reports suggest Modi will be in Moscow next week, coinciding with a NATO summit in Washington where Ukraine will be a key topic.
Despite Western attempts to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin, countries like China, India, and several in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America continue to maintain and even strengthen their relationships with Russia. Official data indicates a growth in trade between these nations and Russia.
Aleksei Zakharov, an expert on India based in Moscow, remarked, "Modi's visit offers Moscow a chance to showcase President Putin hosting a prominent leader like Modi, especially against the backdrop of the Washington summit."
India's goal is to ensure Russia stays neutral in India-China territorial disputes, even if it doesn't openly support India. The India-China relationship has been tense since the 2020 border conflict.
Russia and India have held annual summits since 2000, with the last in-person meeting in 2021 when Putin visited Delhi. The 2022 summit in Moscow was postponed due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have deepened their partnership, pledging a "new era" of cooperation in May.
While Modi has sent his foreign minister to a security summit in Kazakhstan, India is also distancing itself from Russia as its primary arms supplier due to the Ukraine conflict disrupting supplies.
Nandan Unnikrishnan, an analyst from the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, stated, "Modi's visit will dispel any speculation of a drift in Indo-Russian relations. We aim to maintain good relations with all parties, including Russia and the United States."
India's foreign ministry has not commented but confirmed the preparation for the next bilateral summit with Russia. The Kremlin highlighted that deepening trade and economic ties would be a significant focus of Modi's visit, with preparations in the "final stage."
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that regional and global security issues are always crucial in such meetings.
India has increased its purchases of Russian oil, seeking discounts beyond the current $3 to $3.5 per barrel. During the visit, India is expected to seek formal approval for ONGC Videsh to retain its 20% stake in the Sakhalin 1 oil project in Russia's far east.
India is also keen to boost exports of pharmaceuticals, machinery, and other goods to Russia. Two-way trade between the countries jumped 33% to $65.7 billion in the last fiscal year, with India's imports accounting for $61.43 billion.
Russia and North Korea to Restart Direct Train Service After Four Years
India's Modi to Meet Putin Amid Rising China-Russia Collaboration
Russia and North Korea Sign Strategic Partnership: What We Know and Don't Know