Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday to strengthen the relationship between the two nuclear powers. This meeting took place amidst NATO leaders gathering in Washington and Russia launching missile attacks in Ukraine, including on a children’s hospital.
Putin described their relationship as a privileged strategic partnership. Modi, who visited Russia for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces in 2022, has refrained from condemning Russia directly, focusing instead on peaceful resolution efforts.
The dynamics of their partnership have become more complex as Russia aligns closer with China amid international isolation over the Ukraine crisis. Modi did not attend the recent SCO summit in Kazakhstan, which was founded by Moscow and Beijing.
Upon Modi’s arrival in Moscow, Russian missiles struck Ukraine, causing significant damage and casualties, including at a children’s hospital in Kyiv. After their meeting, India announced the discharge of its nationals who were coerced into joining the Russian army.
During the meeting, Modi and Putin discussed various issues, including the situation in Ukraine and the importance of peaceful negotiations over military actions. The U.S. State Department expressed concerns about India’s relationship with Russia and emphasized the need for Russia to respect international norms.
Trade and energy cooperation were key topics of discussion, with Russia assisting India in building nuclear power plants and enhancing energy security. The two countries share a long history of strong ties, with India increasingly becoming a vital trading partner for Moscow.
Despite tensions between India and China, Modi is expected to maintain close relations with Russia, a major defense supplier for India. Trade development and collaboration on various projects, such as the maritime corridor between Chennai and Vladivostok, continue to strengthen the bilateral relationship.
India-Russia trade has seen significant growth, reaching close to $65 billion in the 2023-24 fiscal year, driven by energy cooperation and other bilateral initiatives.