Moscow, March 27 – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov highlighted the dynamic political dialogue between India and Russia, emphasizing that both countries share similar views on the emerging multipolar world order. He also announced that preparations are underway for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to India.
Lavrov stated that Russia and India have long-standing relations built on mutual respect, and their cooperation is continuously growing. He acknowledged the significance of the bilateral relations, noting that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first foreign visit after his re-election was to Russia. Putin has now accepted Modi’s invitation to visit India, with the visit expected to take place in early 2025.
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov confirmed that this visit is part of the annual meetings between the two leaders, continuing the tradition of fostering closer ties. The last Russian presidential visit to India was in December 2021, during the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit. Meanwhile, Modi had visited Russia twice in 2024, attending the Russia-India Summit and participating in the BRICS Summit in Kazan.
Lavrov also emphasized the strong trade relations between the two countries, with bilateral trade exceeding $60 billion in 2024, the highest in modern history. Both nations aim to reach a $100 billion trade turnover by 2030. The Russian Foreign Minister expressed appreciation for India’s independent and multi-vector foreign policy, supporting the Global South’s increased role in international governance and respect for cultural identities.
He also commended India’s balanced stance on the Ukrainian crisis, appreciating Prime Minister Modi’s advocacy for dialogue and resolution of the conflict. Lavrov concluded by reaffirming the shared values and cooperation between India and Russia, particularly in multilateral organizations like the UN, G20, BRICS, and SCO.
