Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia next week for talks, as announced by India’s foreign ministry. The visit will take place over two days starting on Monday and will focus on reviewing the developing bilateral ties between the two countries and discussing regional and global issues.
The Kremlin had previously indicated that the visit was likely to occur in July, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov describing it as “very important.” India, being one of the world’s largest oil consumers, plays a crucial role in the global energy market and is a significant buyer of Russian oil. In fact, in 2021, India increased its purchase of Russian oil more than 20 times due to discounts offered amid Western energy restrictions.
Despite ongoing tensions between Russia and the West due to the conflict in Ukraine, India has maintained a neutral stance on the matter. While refraining from publicly criticizing Putin’s actions, India has been striving to balance its relationships with both Russia and Western nations.
In recent years, Putin has been engaging in diplomatic efforts to strengthen partnerships and avoid isolation on the global stage. He visited North Korea and Vietnam earlier this year, signing a security deal in North Korea. These efforts are seen as part of Russia’s broader strategy to maintain international ties despite facing challenges due to its actions in Ukraine.
