India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visits Moscow

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Facts

  • During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Russia, which concluded on Tuesday, the Kremlin said the two countries inked 15 bilateral agreements that will deepen ties and cooperation in various areas.1
  • While Russia's relationship with India dates back to the Cold War, Modi's first visit to Moscow since the war in Ukraine was closely watched by the US, which has fostered closer ties with New Delhi in recent years, and Putin's ally China, which reportedly has had a rocky relationship with India.2
  • Meanwhile, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy described Modi embracing Putin on Monday — the same day as Russian attacks in Ukraine killed at least 41 civilians — as 'a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts.'3
  • However, after hours of talks in the Kremlin on the second day of his visit, Modi alluded to the bloodshed in Ukraine, stating that he discussed possible pathways to peace with Putin as 'a solution is not possible on the battlefield.'4
  • Modi also raised the issue of unsuspecting Indians who had been recruited to fight for Russia on the frontlines in Ukraine. After the talks, Putin said all Indians would be discharged and be allowed to return to their home country.2
  • Before Modi's visit, India's foreign affairs minister said that India-Russia trade increased to nearly $65B in the 2023-24 financial year, with imports from Russia reaching $60B and exports from India touching $4B.5

Sources: 1TASS, 2Guardian, 3Independent, 4Associated Press and 5Al Jazeera.

Narratives

  • Anti-Russia narrative, as provided by Guardian. While Modi has called for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine, he continues to buy cheap Russian oil and has abstained from all UN resolutions condemning Russia's invasion. There was never any realistic prospect that Modi would be able to temper Putin's criminal designs on Ukraine.
  • Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by Al Jazeera. Russia's enduring relationship with India, China, and several other major economies shows that the West's attempts to isolate Putin have largely failed. In fact, Russia seems to be in a much stronger place than when the Ukraine invasion started.

Predictions