Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India in December, top Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said on Friday. Ushakov added that Putin will discuss about his visit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the meeting on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in China.
Briefing presspersons, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said President Putin will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in China's Tianjin city on Monday. "The leaders will discuss the preparations for President Putin's visit to India," he said. The Russian president is visiting India for the annual summit between the leaders of both nations.
"Right after the SCO Plus meeting on September 1, our president will meet Indian Prime Minister Modi. What is especially important is that preparations will be discussed for the upcoming visit of our president to India in December," Ushakov added.
The Modi-Putin meeting on the sidelines of the SCO Summit marks the first meeting between the two leaders this year. Ushakov said this year marks the 15th anniversary of India-Russia strategic partnership. "Our countries are bound by a special strategic partnership," he said.
Also read
- Trump dials Modi in first call since Iran war, PM says keeping Hormuz open and secure is essential
- From borders to streets, how did government step up to counter fallout of Iran war on Indians? PM Modi explains
- PM Modi reviews energy, fertiliser supply in high-level meeting amid Iran vs US-Israel war
- Who is Pawan Kumar Chamling? PM Modi breaks politician’s record with 8931 days in office
Prime Minister Modi had travelled to Russia twice last year for an annual summit with Putin and to attend the BRICS Summit in Kazan. Putin's visit to India comes amidst tariff troubles from the United States. US President Donald Trump has imposed an additional tariff of 25 per cent over Indian imports, accusing New Delhi of fueling Russia's war against Ukraine. Trump alleged India's oil purchases from Russia helped Putin to sustain the war against Ukraine.
However, defending its purchase of Russian crude oil, India has been maintaining that its energy procurement is driven by national interest and market dynamics.