Indian PM Modi to Visit Moscow in Early July to Strengthen Russian-Indian Ties

The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, may visit Moscow early next month to further strengthen Russian-Indian ties A source in the Indian Parliament told the "Tass" news agency that Modi indeed intends to visit Moscow in early July, with the possibility of a two-day visit . This visit aims to boost energy and trade ties between the two countries, with India seeking to restrict its dependence on Moscow for arms, economic ties, and technology. 

India and Russia have a long history of cooperation, dating back to the Cold War era. The two countries signed a treaty of peace, friendship, and cooperation in August 1971, which was replaced by the Treaty of Indo-Russian Friendship and Cooperation in January 1993 . This partnership has been described as "truly strategic and privileged" and has been developing on the basis of friendship and mutual benefit .

India and Russia have been seeking to boost their economic ties, with a focus on trade and investment cooperation. Last year, their trade grew by almost 17% to reach $11 billion, and they believe there is every prerequisite for its further growth . The large-scale strategy of cooperation between relevant Russian and Indian agencies, approved during Modi's visit to Vladivostok, is aimed at stepping up economic cooperation .

Why it Matters : The visit of Prime Minister Modi to Moscow assumes great significance in the current geopolitical landscape. The India-Russia partnership is critical in this context, as both nations can leverage each other's strengths to achieve their strategic objectives. The visit is also expected to send a strong signal to other nations about the importance of the India-Russia relationship, which can have far-reaching implications for regional and global politics.

Despite the strong partnership between India and Russia, there are challenges and opportunities that need to be addressed. The ongoing war in Ukraine has led to Western pressure on India to cut ties with Moscow, while India is seeking to strengthen its partnership with Russia despite these challenges . The development of Russian-Chinese cooperation and the ongoing rapprochement between India and the US are also factors that need to be considered in the context of Indian-Russian relations.

The potential visit of Narendra Modi to Moscow is a significant step in strengthening Russian-Indian ties, with a focus on economic cooperation and strategic partnership. Despite the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, the two countries are committed to deepening their relations and exploring new areas of cooperation.

Key Takeaways : 

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Moscow in early July to strengthen Russian-Indian ties.
• The visit is seen as a crucial step in bolstering the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
• India's multi-alignment policy involves engaging with multiple nations to achieve its strategic objectives, with Russia being a key partner.
• The Modi government has been actively pursuing defense cooperation, nuclear energy, and trade agreements with Russia.
• The visit is expected to send a strong signal to other nations about the importance of the India-Russia relationship, which can have far-reaching implications for regional and global politics.