Putin set to visit India soon, says Lavrov

Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing for an upcoming visit to India, described as "one of the great powers of our time" by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The visit follows an invitation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reflects the strong and dynamic political dialogue between the two countries.

Lavrov emphasized that Russia and India share similar views on the emerging multipolar world order, making their cooperation increasingly significant. He also highlighted the long-standing history and mutual respect between the two nations, noting that Prime Minister Modi’s first foreign visit after his re-election was to Russia.

This visit will be part of the ongoing commitment to annual meetings between the two leaders. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov confirmed that Putin’s visit is planned for early 2025, marking another milestone in the deepening bilateral ties. The last visit by President Putin to India was in December 2021, during the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit.

Lavrov also pointed to the increasing trade between Russia and India, with 2024 bilateral trade exceeding $60 billion—an all-time high. The two nations aim to raise this figure to $100 billion by 2030. The minister praised India’s independent and multi-vector foreign policy and its influential role in global organizations such as the UN, G20, and BRICS.

Lavrov also expressed gratitude for India’s balanced stance on the Ukrainian conflict, underscoring the importance of dialogue and addressing the root causes of the crisis.