Russian President Vladimir Putin To Visit India Soon, Says FM Lavrov

Russia on Thursday (27 March) confirmed that President Vladimir Putin would soon visit India, following an invitation extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Moscow last year.

This will be Putin's first visit to India since the 2022 outbreak of the war in Ukraine, a period during which his relationship with PM Modi has strengthened.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that preparations for Putin's visit to India were in progress, though he refrained from providing any specific dates.

"President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation to visit from the Indian head of government. A visit by the Russian head of state to the Republic of India is currently being prepared," the Russian foreign minister announced.

Noting that PM Modi chose Russia for his first foreign visit after being re-elected for a third term, Lavrov said, "Now it's our turn."

PM Modi was one of the few leaders in 2024 to visit both Moscow and Kyiv to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Additionally, Modi traveled to Kazan in Russia in October last year for the BRICS Summit.

PM Modi's visit to Moscow for the 22nd Russia-India summit drew attention to the close relationship between the two leaders.

Upon arrival at Putin's residence, the two shared a warm hug followed by a firm handshake.

Videos of Modi and Putin chatting over tea, watching a horse show, and the Russian President driving the Prime Minister around his residence in a golf cart went viral on social media.

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