Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India for the first time since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war. The announcement was made by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who confirmed the visit in a statement to media on Tuesday. Peskov added that the official dates for Putin’s trip would be disclosed shortly, with preparations already underway.
This highly anticipated visit comes after two trips made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russia this year. According to Peskov, President Putin’s upcoming trip signifies the strong diplomatic ties between India and Russia, and the Kremlin is eagerly looking forward to the event. Sources indicate that Putin may attend the Russia-India Annual Summit, which is scheduled to take place next year.
PM Modi's Recent Visits to Russia
In 2023, PM Modi visited Russia twice. His most recent trip was on October 22 for the BRICS Summit. Prior to this, he made a two-day visit to Russia in July, during which he extended a formal invitation to President Putin to visit India.
Putin’s Previous Visit to India in 2021
Putin’s last official visit to India was on December 6, 2021, a brief trip lasting only four hours. However, the visit was marked by significant outcomes, as both nations signed 28 agreements, including key military and technical agreements. Both countries had then set an ambitious target of achieving $30 billion (about ₹2.53 lakh crore) in annual bilateral trade by 2025, further underscoring the depth of their economic partnership.
Impact of ICC Arrest Warrant on Putin's International Travel
The upcoming trip to India is particularly notable since Putin has avoided traveling internationally following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March 2023. The warrant accuses Putin of war crimes, specifically related to allegations of child abduction and forced deportation of children during the Russia-Ukraine war.
This unprecedented move marked the first time that the ICC issued an arrest warrant against a top leader of a permanent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) member. The five permanent members of the UNSC include the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France.
As a result of this warrant, Putin has refrained from participating in recent global events. He notably skipped the G20 Summit in India in 2023, as well as the 2024 G20 Summit in Brazil. In both instances, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov represented Russia on Putin’s behalf.
As the final dates for Putin’s visit are awaited, anticipation builds over the outcomes of this high-level engagement, which could shape the trajectory of India-Russia relations in the coming years.
No comments:
Post a Comment