Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit India following invitation

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced that President Vladimir Putin is preparing for a visit to India after accepting an invitation from the Indian government. 

Lavrov made the statement in a video address to participants of the ongoing conference in Moscow titled "Russia and India: Towards a New Agenda of Bilateral Relations", Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

"President of Russia Vladimir Putin has accepted the invitation of the head of the Indian government. The visit of the Russian head of state to the Republic of India is being prepared," Lavrov said during his address.

Lavrov also noted the symbolic significance of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia after his re-election in 2024. "It is symbolic that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first foreign bilateral visit after his re-election last year to Russia. Now it’s our turn," Lavrov added.

Earlier, President's assistant Yuri Ushakov confirmed that Putin’s visit to India is planned for 2025. He emphasized that the invitation had already been extended, and the visit would certainly take place this year.

Russia's Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, expressed expectations of high-level Indian representation during the 80th anniversary celebrations of Victory in Moscow. "We expect a high level of Indian representation at the 80th anniversary celebrations in Moscow and hope that Prime Minister Modi will lead the delegation," Alipov stated in his video message.

The visit of President Putin to India, which has been in the works for months, was first confirmed by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov in December 2024. The trip will include a meeting between President Putin and Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi.

In January 2025, Indian Ministry of External Affairs representative Randhir Jaiswal stated that Russia and India are finalizing the specific dates for the visit.

Prime Minister Modi has visited Russia twice in 2024, in July and October, as part of the BRICS summit. Additionally, in December 2024, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh met with President Putin in Moscow.

By Tamilla Hasanova