PM Modi's upcoming visit to Moscow

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Russia for the first time following the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the deepening relationship between the two nations despite India's strong ties to Washington.

According to Russia's state-owned TASS news agency, Kremlin spokesperson Yuri Ushakov stated that plans are underway for Modi's trip to Moscow and the dates will be revealed shortly.

He also said that the dates have not been decided yet, but active preparations are going on and the 'visit will happen'.

Modi last spoke to Putin during the 2022 Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Uzbekistan, emphasizing that the current era is not one of war. Also, Putin visited New Delhi shortly before he invaded Ukraine.

India has maintained strong relations with Russia since the Cold War era, even in the face of ongoing sanctions imposed by Western countries.

New Delhi has consistently refrained from voting against Russia in United Nations resolutions and has refrained from publicly condemning Moscow's actions in Ukraine.

India continues to depend greatly on the Kremlin for its military supplies which serve a crucial purpose due to tensions at its border with China. Additionally, it has increased its purchases of cheap Russian oil, providing a significant financial boost to Russia amidst international isolation.

Similarly, India's relationship with the United States has strengthened due to mutual worries about China's aggressive actions in the Indo-Pacific area.

Putin was also absent from the Group of 20 leaders' summit in New Delhi held later in that year, where global leaders issued a joint statement condemning his invasion of Ukraine.