Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began more than two years ago.
An Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman in New Delhi said before the trip that Modi would likely discuss the Russia-Ukraine conflict during his visit.
“We will always strive for a peaceful resolution of this issue as quickly as possible, which will be beneficial for everyone,” he said.
The spokesman said the return of Indians from the war in Ukraine would likely also be discussed. He added that they were coerced under false pretenses into working for the Russian army. Estimates suggest this involves around 30 to 45 Indian citizens.
Modi plans to travel to Austria after his trip to Russia.
On Monday, Modi wrote on X: “These visits will be a wonderful opportunity to deepen ties with these nations, with which India has a time-tested friendship.”
A banquet with Putin is planned for Monday night.
Russia is an important energy supplier to India. Revenues from the sale of Russian oil, which India receives at a discount due to the Western embargo against Moscow, allow Putin to continue financing the war in Ukraine.
India has taken a neutral stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It maintains good relations with the West and with Russia, where Modi last visited in 2019.
