Indian Prime Minister N. Modi to visit Russia on July 8-9, 2024, aiming to strengthen New Delhi's strategic partnership with Moscow and to conduct the 22nd bilateral annual summit while discussing various regional and global issues.

A government press release stated that the Prime Minister's visit to Moscow on July 8-9 is at the invitation of the President of the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin, for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit. The leaders will review the broad range of relations between the two countries and exchange perspectives on contemporary regional and global issues of mutual interest.

First visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 41 years

Subsequently, PM Modi will travel to Austria on July 9-10, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Austria in 41 years. During this visit, he is scheduled to meet with President of the Republic of Austria, H.E. Mr. Alexander Van der Bellen, and hold discussions with Chancellor of Austria H.E. Mr. Karl Nehammer. Additionally, PM Modi and Chancellor Nehammer will address business leaders from India and Austria.

Modi to visit Russia
Image Source: DW

PM Modi also plans to engage with members of the Indian community in both Moscow and Vienna. Notably, this will be Modi's first bilateral trip to Russia since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022. During the two-day visit, PM Modi is expected to hold discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, focusing on important areas such as regional and global security.

This visit is of particular significance as it follows the annual India-Russia summit format, which has been on hold for the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the changing international situation. Moreover, there are discussions underway regarding the establishment of two new Indian consulates in Russia, a move that would further strengthen people-to-people ties between the two nations.

The last face-to-face bilateral meeting between PM Modi and President Putin took place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in September 2022.

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