Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow reaffirms an old tradition of holding annual summits between India and Russia leaders
The 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit is the first Modi-Putin meet since the Ukraine war
Russia’s growing dependence on China as a result of the war is also a concern for India, given tensions over the LAC.
While there will be a scheduled framework of talks on bilateral issues (trade and energy relationships, space cooperation for Gaganyaan, and declining but substantial defence supplies), there will also be an opportunity to take stock of the war in Ukraine.
On Tuesday, U.S. President Joseph Biden will welcome leaders of NATO countries for the transatlantic grouping’s 75th anniversary.
With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Indo-Pacific leaders who are part of the western sanctions present, it will be a show of strength supposed to demonstrate Russia’s “isolation”.
Mr. Modi has attempted a balance with his presence at the G-7 summit outreach in Italy last month and meeting Mr. Zelenskyy, and later sending an official delegation to the Peace Conference in Switzerland.
The government has also shown its enduring commitment to traditional ties with Russia that stem from the 1971 Soviet Union Peace and Friendship treaty, by refusing to condemn the war at the UN and other multilateral forums, while continuing to engage with Russia bilaterally and at groupings such as the SCO, BRICS and the G-20.
All eyes during Mr. Modi’s visit will then be on how he uses India’s particular multi-polar, unaligned perch to further the cause of “dialogue and diplomacy” and help hasten an end to the conflict that has divided the world.
COMMENTS