Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Russia in July, according to reports from Russian state news agency RIA on Tuesday. The potential visit would mark PM Modi’s first trip to Russia since 2019 and his first since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022.

RIA reported that preparations are underway for the high-level meeting between PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin had previously confirmed in March that PM Modi had an open invitation to visit Russia.

This potential meeting comes at a significant time for both leaders. Putin was sworn in for his fifth term as Russian President in May, while PM Modi began his third consecutive term as Prime Minister on June 9. Putin reportedly extended warm congratulations to PM Modi on his party’s recent electoral success.

The last in-person meeting between PM Modi and President Putin took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in September 2022. During that encounter, Prime Minister Modi urged President Putin to pursue diplomatic solutions to the Ukraine conflict.

In spite of growing strategic and security ties with the US and other key Western players, India has refrained from publicly criticising Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. India even ramped up the purchase of Russian crude despite initial pressure from the US, saying such a move is required to control domestic oil prices.

However, India has time and again advocated for a cessation of hostilities in the Ukraine conflict and a return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy to find a lasting solution.

(Inputs from ANI)