Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has emphasized the dynamic evolution of political dialogue between India and Russia, crediting this development to their common vision of the new multipolar world order. He stated that preparations are in progress for Russian President Vladimir Putin's upcoming visit to India.
Addressing the first-ever international conference 'Russia and India: Towards a New Agenda for Bilateral Relations,' also attended by Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Lavrov highlighted the long-standing and tried-and-tested relationship between the two countries. He pointed out that Russia and India are developing balanced cooperation based on mutual respect and consideration of mutual interests.
Lavrov emphasized the efforts of both the leaders in making this bilateral connection meaningful, bringing back memories of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's July 2024 visit to Russia. He made it official that President Putin has agreed to come for Prime Minister Modi's invite, and his visit to India is in progress.
Kremlin adviser Yury Ushakov had earlier signaled that Putin will travel to India in early 2025, as invited by Prime Minister Modi. The visit is in line with the annual meeting commitment of the leaders, with Ushakov saying, "Our leaders have an agreement to meet once a year. This time, it is our turn.
The previous Russian presidential trip to India took place on December 6, 2021, during the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi. Prime Minister Modi visited Russia twice in 2024: taking part in the 22nd Russia-India Summit in July and the BRICS Summit in Kazan in October.
During the conference, Lavrov pointed to the strong foundation of Russia-India relations, as bilateral trade reached $60 billion in 2024—the record in their recent history. He was confident that the leaders' target of reaching $100 billion in trade turnover by 2030 would be achieved, stressing continued work on the implementation of joint investment projects.
Lavrov also praised India's independent, multi-directional foreign policy, saying that India properly deserves the rank of a great power and serves as a leading center in the multipolar world. He lauded India's balanced approach to the Ukrainian crisis and its call for a settlement through negotiations on the basis of finding solutions to the causes of the conflict.
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