Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Moscow for a two-day visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin — his first trip to Russia since the Kremlin ordered its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago.
Yet there are few signs Modi plans to challenge Putin directly over his actions in Ukraine. Instead, the Indian leader appears to be engaging Moscow as part of a wider balancing act between East and West that has been at the core of his foreign policy.
Ahead of his departure for Moscow, Modi noted the partnership with Russia had advanced over the past 10 years, and he looked forward to reviewing all aspects of bilateral cooperation with his friend Putin.
We seek to play a supportive role for a peaceful and stable region, Modi added, without clarifying.
Statements by the Kremlin were similarly sanguine, saying Modi’s visit would build on traditionally friendly Russian-Indian relations.
Modi was greeted by a goose-stepping honor guard upon arrival at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport Monday afternoon. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, who had worked with an Indian-Russia aeronautics company in the past, greeted him on the tarmac.
As Modi’s motorcade made his way toward his hotel across from the Kremlin, throngs of well-wishers gathered to wave Indian and Russian flags.
Among other announced activities: Putin will host Modi for a private dinner with a free agenda for discussion, the Kremlin’s spokesman said — setting the tone for formal talks on Tuesday.
Modi is also expected to lay flowers at Russia’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
There were no current plans for the leaders to address the media, the spokesman added.
Russia and India have strong ties that date back to the height of the Cold War.
In a partnership that often blurred ideological lines, the Soviets provided weapons to India as both countries found a common threat in the rise of their neighbor China.
Fast forward to today and much has changed: The United States is now one of India’s major partners and India’s military needs have diversified. Yet Modi’s Moscow visit is part tribute to an enduring Indian-Russian friendship, analysts say.
India has refused Western entreaties, including by Washington, to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — with Modi instead urging a vague diplomatic settlement to the conflict.
Today’s era is not an era of war, the Indian prime minister told Putin during their last meeting on the sidelines of a regional summit in Central Asia in the fall of 2022.
Putin responded by promising Modi that Russia was doing everything to stop this as soon as possible.
Nearly two years later, the death toll and destruction in Ukraine continue to mount, with hundreds of thousands dead and no end to the fighting in sight.
