‘Now it’s our turn’: Putin to visit India soon, first since Ukraine war

Russian President Vladimir Putin will soon visit India for the first time since the start of the Ukraine war, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed on Thursday. Lavrov stated that Putin had accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and preparations for the visit were underway, though no specific dates have been announced. The visit follows PM Modi’s trip to Moscow last year, where he held extensive discussions with Putin on bilateral ties and global affairs.

Lavrov emphasized the close relationship between the two leaders, recalling how Modi chose Russia as his first foreign destination after securing a third term in office. "Now it’s our turn," he remarked, highlighting the reciprocal nature of high-level visits between the two countries. The upcoming summit is expected to focus on key issues, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, India’s role in global diplomacy, and the geopolitical shifts following Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

India has maintained a careful diplomatic balance on the Ukraine crisis, abstaining from United Nations resolutions condemning Russia while urging a peaceful resolution. PM Modi has consistently reiterated that "this is not the era of war" in his interactions with Putin. In 2024, Modi was among the few global leaders to visit both Moscow and Kyiv, engaging with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy while also reaffirming India’s deep ties with Russia. His participation in the BRICS Summit in Kazan further reinforced India’s strategic engagement with Moscow.

During his Moscow visit for the 22nd Russia-India summit, Modi and Putin’s warm camaraderie caught global attention. From a friendly embrace and tea conversations to watching a horse show and taking a golf cart ride together, their interactions signaled a robust partnership. The visit also resulted in key agreements, including a commitment to doubling bilateral trade to USD 100 billion.

India and Russia share a longstanding strategic alliance, particularly in defense cooperation. Russia remains one of India’s primary arms suppliers, providing critical military equipment even as India seeks to diversify its procurement sources. Additionally, Moscow has played a crucial role in India’s energy security, offering discounted crude oil in the wake of Western sanctions. This economic partnership has strengthened despite geopolitical tensions, with India benefiting from Russia’s pivot towards non-Western markets.

Putin’s upcoming visit is expected to further consolidate Indo-Russian ties amid shifting global dynamics. With the Ukraine war continuing to reshape international relations and Western powers closely monitoring India’s diplomatic positioning, the meeting between Modi and Putin will be watched for signals on India’s strategic priorities. The visit will also serve as a platform for reinforcing cooperation in trade, defense, and energy, ensuring that the historic Indo-Russian partnership remains resilient in a rapidly evolving global order.