Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India next year, the Russian press secretary Dmitry Peskov confirmed. The exact dates of the visit are yet to be finalized.
The visit will come shortly after PM Modi and President Putin held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia in October. The two leaders discussed strengthening ties and mutual cooperation, reflecting the enduring partnership between the nations.
“Well, I hope that soon, very soon we will determine the exact dates of his (Vladimir Putin) visit. But you know that our leaders exchange visits. So, of course, after two visits of Prime Minister Modi to Russia, now President Putin is expected to visit India. So we are looking forward to it. We will start preparing very carefully for this visit. We attach great importance to this moment. Right now I do not have any specific dates,” Peskov was quoted as saying by Russia’s leading news agency RIA Novosti.
Peskov also mentioned that the Indian PM can receive first-hand information on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“At least he (PM Modi) can receive information first-hand (from the Russian President), this is very important. This is very important for us. This gives Prime Minister Modi the opportunity to objectively assess the situation, and not under information and propaganda pressure from outside,” Peskov said at a meeting ‘New Opportunities for Cooperation between Indian and Russian Media: Strengthening Ties between the Peoples of India and Russia’ organised by Sputnik.
Peskov also remarked that the Russian President highly appreciates the assistance of all countries, especially those like India with which Moscow shares good relations.
We really appreciate the efforts of all possible countries aimed at facilitating the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. And especially when these efforts come from our great friends like India. In this sense, President Putin really appreciates the efforts made by Prime Minister Modi. And he is really grateful to Prime Minister Modi,” stated Peskov.