Putin meets Indian PM in Russia on his first visit after Moscow sends troops to Ukraine

MOSCOW (AP) – Top ministers of the Republic of India Narendra Modi was in Moscow on Monday for a two-day visitThis is their first case after Russia sent troops to Ukraine dating between long time partners and pushing Russia closer to the Republic of India’s rival, China.

Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin at his residence outside Moscow, followed by talks in the Kremlin on Tuesday. Modi finally visited Russia in 2019, when he attended a forum in the Far Eastern port of Vladivostok and met Putin. The leaders also saw each opportunity at the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Group bloc in Uzbekistan in September 2022.

Modi posted photos of his arrival in Moscow in both Russian and English on social media platform X and announced that he looked forward to “further deepening the special and privileged strategic partnership between our countries.”

“Stronger ties between our countries will greatly benefit our people,” he wrote. He also shared a picture of himself and Putin hugging.

Then, the two leaders were featured in a video shared by the Kremlin in Novo-Ogaryovo, Putin’s residence near Moscow.

Putin took Modi in a carriage and took him around the fields and showed his entourage with horses. According to order information agencies, the two had previously watched a horse performance with performers in national Russian costume.

Modi thanked Putin for hosting him in Novo-Ogaryovo and said he was looking forward to Tuesday’s talks and hoped they would “go a long way in further strengthening the bonds of friendship between India and Russia.”

Russia has Strong ties with the Republic of India due to the Cold WarUntapped Delhi’s usefulness as a major trading partner has increased since the Kremlin sent troops to Ukraine in February 2022. China and India have become major consumers of Russian oil following sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies. Most Western markets should be closed to Russian exports. According to analysts, the Republic of India now receives more than 40% of its oil imports from Russia.

Under Modi’s leadership, the Republic of India has refrained from condemning Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, stressing its desire for a peaceful settlement.

On the other hand, the partnership between Moscow and unused Delhi has become dangerous as Russia moves closer to China. Modi especially avoided the summit of his last appearance in Kazakhstan Shanghai Cooperation Group, A security group based on Moscow and Beijing.

Chitij Bajpai, senior South Asia research fellow at UK-based Chatham Space, said the Republic of India is increasingly being isolated from boards in which Russia and China play a well-known role.

“This is evident from India’s relatively low-key chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization last year and now Modi’s decision to skip this year’s summit,” Bajpai said.

war of words in june 2020 Their already sensitive dating along the disputed China-Republic of India border changed dramatically as rival soldiers fought with rocks, golf equipment and fists. At least 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers were killed. Despite talks, tensions continue – and it highlights what an unused Delhi looks like in Moscow.

“Russia’s relations with China have been a matter of some concern for India in the context of China’s increasing aggression in the region,” D. Bala Venkatesh Varma, India’s former ambassador to Russia, told The Related Press.

However, Modi is expected to try to foster relations with Russia, which can be a major defense provider for the Republic of India.

With Moscow’s industries primarily serving the Russian military in Ukraine, the Republic of India is diversifying its defense purchases, making additional purchases from the US, Israel, France and Italy.

“Defence cooperation will clearly be a priority area,” Bajpai said. He also said that 60% of the Republic of India’s military equipment and programs “are still of Russian origin.”

“We have seen some delays in the delivery of spare parts following the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” he said. “I believe the two countries are about to sign a military logistics agreement, which will pave the way for greater defense exchanges.”

Putin’s foreign travels have decreased in recent days, following an arrest warrant issued by the Global Legal Court in 2023 for his activities in Ukraine, so Modi’s visit could increase the Russian leader’s clout.

“We’re seeing Putin go on a trip down memory lane — you know, he was in Vietnam, he was in North Korea,” said Theresa Fallon, an analyst at the Center for Russia, Europe, Asia Research. “In my view, he is trying to demonstrate that he is not a vassal of China, that he has options, that Russia is still a great power.”

Alexander Gabuev, head of Carnegie Russia Eurasia Heart, said Putin’s talks on the international stage show he is “far from isolated” and that Russia is not a country that should be discounted.

Industry structure will also be strongly hammered out in the talks, particularly the intention to create a maritime corridor between India’s main port Chennai and Vladivostok, the gateway to Russia’s Far East.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra told Newshound on Friday that due to strong energy cooperation, the Republic of India-Russia industry has revealed a spectacular growth, reaching close to $65 billion in the financial period of 2023-24.

Kwatra said imports from Russia reached $60 billion and exports from the Republic of India reached $4 billion in the financial period 2023-24. The monetary era of the Republic of India runs from April to March.

He said India wants to correct the trade imbalance with Russia by increasing its exports. Controlled exports of the Republic of India to Russia include drugs and pharmaceutical products, telecommunication equipment, iron and metals, marine products and equipment.

Its controlled imports from Russia include crude oil and petroleum products, coal and coke, pearls, precious and semi-precious stones, fertilizers, vegetable oils, gold and silver.

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Pathi reported from unused Delhi and Heintz from Tallin, Estonia. Associated Press writer Ashok Sharma in Delhi contributed to this document.