Vladimir Putin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. |Photo source: VV Krishnan

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday (March 27, 2025) that Russian President Vladimir Putin accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit India and prepare for it.

At a meeting entitled “Russia and India: Going to a new bilateral agenda” chaired by the Russian International Affairs Commission (RIAC), Lavrov said: “Arrangement is currently being made for Putin’s visit to India.” “President Vladimir Putin accepted the invitation from the head of the Indian government. The Russian head of state’s visit to the Republic of India is currently being prepared.” tass news agency.

Mr. Lavrov pointed out that Modi’s first foreign visit after he was re-election last year was Russia.

“It’s our turn now,” he said.

However, the date of visit has not been disclosed.

Prime Minister Modi visited Russia in July 2024, his first trip to the country in nearly five years. Earlier, he visited the Far East city of Vladivostok in 2019 for an economic conference.

During the last visit, Prime Minister Modi invited Mr. Putin to visit India.

On March 24, Mr. Lavrov said that Russia was establishing a “privileged strategic partnership” with India.

Mr. Lavrov said at an event that Russia is actively expanding its ties with countries such as China, India, Iran, North Korea and Independent States (CIS) countries.

“The comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation with the People’s Republic of China have an unprecedented level of mutual trust. The privileged strategic partnership is particularly developing with India,” said the top Russian diplomat.

Putin said on the occasion of the 76th Republic of India Day, in a message of congratulations to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi, Putin said Russia’s relations with India were based on “a strategic partnership of special and privilege.”

Mr. Putin and Prime Minister Modi remain in regular contact, having telephone conversations every few months. The two leaders also held face-to-face meetings, especially in terms of the intervals of international events.