Visiting Russia Before Neighboring Countries
Extending India's My Way Diplomatic Line
Coincidentally Overlapping with NATO Summit Period
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (photo) will reunite with Russian President Vladimir Putin after five years.
According to Bloomberg on the 2nd (local time), Prime Minister Modi will visit Moscow, Russia, on the 8th and 9th to hold a summit with President Putin. This will be the first India-Russia summit since President Putin's fifth term and Prime Minister Modi's third term began.
Modi's visit to Russia, which began its session last month, is unusual. During his previous terms, Modi first visited neighboring countries such as Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, but this time he broke the convention by visiting Russia first. Modi's last visit to Russia was in 2019 to attend the Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok.
According to major foreign media, Prime Minister Modi and President Putin are expected to discuss various issues including regional and global security and economic cooperation during the summit. Bloomberg cited an anonymous Indian official saying, "It will include military supply contracts to strengthen cooperation between the two countries' militaries, resumption of discussions on joint development of fifth-generation fighter jets, and nuclear cooperation."
In particular, this India-Russia summit attracted Western attention as it partially overlaps with the NATO summit held in Washington D.C. from the 9th to the 11th.
India is pursuing a unique 'my-way diplomacy' that transcends blocs by prioritizing national interests and pragmatism. Experts analyze that Modi's visit to Russia is an extension of this multi-alignment rather than a close India-Russia alliance. Even after Russia faced Western sanctions for invading Ukraine in 2022, India has maintained relations with Russia to the extent of paying for Russian oil in the UAE currency, the dirham.
Bloomberg analyzed that the side gaining practical benefits from the India-Russia summit is President Putin. Bloomberg noted, "By having India's leader visit Russia, it can indirectly send a message to the international community that Russia is not completely isolated," adding, "This is very important for Russia."
Bloomberg also criticized, "Modi's visit to Russia undermines Western efforts to make President Putin a pariah."
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