Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to attend the annual India-Russia bilateral summit, which will be held in India later this year, according to a Kremlin statement released Monday.
Condemnation of Pahalgam Terror Attack
During a phone call earlier in the day, Putin condemned the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, southern Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mostly tourists. The attack was carried out by terrorists trained and based in Pakistan, further escalating regional tensions.
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‘Privileged Partnership’ Not Swayed by External Pressures
Reaffirming the strength of the bilateral relationship, Putin told PM Modi that the “particularly privileged partnership” between India and Russia continues to thrive across sectors and remains “not subject to external influence.”
Partnership Rooted in Multilateral Forums
India and Russia are long-standing members of key global alliances such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), where their collaboration plays a critical role in shaping global policies and regional stability.
Looking Ahead to the 23rd Annual Summit
The upcoming summit will be the 23rd edition of the India-Russia Annual Summit. The previous summit was held in Moscow, where President Putin conferred upon PM Modi the “Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle”—Russia’s highest civilian honour—for his contributions to strengthening bilateral ties.
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Investment Cooperation Takes Centre Stage
Key discussions at the summit are expected to focus on enhancing economic ties, with a particular emphasis on investment cooperation. The leaders will likely build on the progress made during the first-ever India-Russia Investment Forum and the 7th Working Group meeting on Priority Investment Projects held in Moscow in April 2024.
Push for ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’
India is set to advocate for deeper Russian participation in its flagship economic initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. The country will also encourage Russian firms to explore opportunities in the industrial hubs being developed under India’s expansive Industrial Corridor programme.
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