SRINAGAR: Russian President Vladimir Putin departed Moscow for a two-day State visit to India, where he will participate in the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, the Russian news agency TASS reported. The visit marks his first trip to India since the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict in 2022 and follows his last visit in December 2021.
According to TASS, the Russian delegation will engage in wide-ranging discussions covering trade, economic cooperation, scientific and technological collaboration, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges. International and regional developments are also expected to feature prominently in the talks. More than ten intergovernmental documents, along with over fifteen agreements and memorandums between commercial and non-commercial entities, are being prepared for signing during the visit.
Putin is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Wednesday evening, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host him for a private dinner. On Thursday, the Russian president will be accorded a ceremonial welcome and a tri-services guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan before paying homage at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Raj Ghat.
Bilateral discussions will take place in both restricted and delegation-level formats at Hyderabad House, with several agreements expected in sectors including trade, agriculture, the economy and academia.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the visit will allow both sides to review the progress of bilateral ties, chart a course to further strengthen the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,” and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual concern.
Ahead of the summit, Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov described the trip as a return to the tradition of annual high-level summits and a major step towards deepening strategic relations. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov earlier stated that discussions on the possible sale of additional S-400 long-range air defence systems may also feature during the visit.
