The Russia-India friendship has withstood many storms. Both countries have remained firm in their support to each other, and when they had a differing stance, both sides were matured enough to take into consideration the compulsions of the other and overlook the issue. One of the most discernible display of support to each other was in 1971, when India was at war with Pakistan. With the US having despatched its 7th Fleet to the area, Russians sent their submarines.
The Kremlin said on Tuesday that the final details of a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russia were being worked out, and that deepening trade and economic cooperation would be one of the key themes of the visit.
The Kremlin has yet to announce the dates of the visit by Modi, though a Russian state news agency reported last month that the visit would take place in July.
“I can only confirm once again that the visit is in the final stage of preparation,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. “A very important visit.”
Peskov said that regional security and global security issues were always high on the agenda of such meetings.
In fact, the Ukraine War is bound to be centerstage with Russians driving for greater Indian support. However, it will be difficult for India to execute any fundamental changes to its approach to the war. A ceasefire to start with, followed by discussions between the two warring parties, a lasting resolution thereafter, is what the Indians are likely to focus on.
“In addition, our trade and economic cooperation is also one of the main issues that is being discussed, the most diverse areas of cooperation that we intend to develop, for which there is mutual political will,” Peskov said.
“This is the main thing.”
Peskov said that Modi and Putin had a “very trusting” relationship. Hopefully, the relationship will aid in finding a solution to a war that has already destroyed most of Ukraine.
Team Bharatshakti
(With inputs from Reuters)
