New Delhi [India], October 1 (ANI): India and Russia are in the final stages of confirming dates for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India, expected in early December, sources said. Ahead of the visit, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is also likely to visit India to prepare for the summit and deliberate on bilateral issues.
At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 27, Lavrov announced plans for President Putin’s forthcoming visit to New Delhi, signalling ongoing diplomatic preparations.
Lavrov underscored the comprehensive India-Russia agenda, spanning trade, military-technical cooperation, finance, humanitarian matters, healthcare, high technology, artificial intelligence, and close coordination in forums such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and BRICS.
On India’s trade autonomy, Lavrov affirmed, “We have full respect for the national interests of India, full respect for the foreign policy that Narendra Modi is carrying out to promote these national interests. We hold regular contacts at the highest level.” He emphasised that India is “perfectly capable” of deciding on trade relations, including those related to Russian oil.
Responding to questions on US tariffs imposed on India for its purchase of Russian oil, Lavrov stated, “The economic partnership between India and Russia is not under threat… India chooses its own partners. If the US has proposals on enriching bilateral trade with India, they are prepared to discuss terms. But trade, investment, and cooperation between India and third states is a matter India will discuss directly with those states.”
Lavrov praised India’s foreign policy approach, noting, “Situations that might arise between India and the United States or any other country cannot be a criterion for relations between India and Russia. We have had a strategic partnership for a long time… now a particularly privileged strategic partnership.” He also recalled the recent meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin at the SCO summit in China, highlighting sustained high-level coordination.
On India’s global aspirations, Russia reiterated its support for India’s bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Lavrov emphasised the need for UNSC reform to better reflect current global realities and ensure fair representation for Asia, Africa, and Latin America, supporting the applications of India and Brazil.
Putin’s visit follows US tariffs on Indian goods in response to India’s import of Russian oil. Lavrov assured that such tariffs would not impact India-Russia relations. The visit comes amid a complex global backdrop, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and is expected to underscore India’s strategic autonomy in maintaining balanced relations with both Russia and Ukraine.
The planned visit will not only reaffirm the historic friendship between New Delhi and Moscow but also explore new cooperation avenues in emerging sectors. India’s non-alignment with the International Criminal Court (ICC) makes the visit feasible without concerns over the ICC arrest warrant.
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