Putin may visit India early next year, Kremlin says figuring out dates: Report

Russian President Vladimir Putin has received an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit India and tentative dates are being worked out for his visit set for early 2025, the Kremlin said, according to news agency ANI.
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said that PM Modi and Putin have an agreement to hold meetings once a year and stressed it was Russia’s turn this time. In July, PM Modi went to Moscow for the 22nd Russia-India summit and again travelled to Kazan in October for the BRICS Summit.
“Our leaders have an agreement to hold meetings once a year. This time, it’s our turn. We received Mr Modi’s invitation and we will certainly consider it positively. We will figure out the tentative dates early next year,” Ushakov said at a briefing.
This will mark Putin’s first visit to India since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. India has always maintained that dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv is the way forward for resolving the conflict.
India sees Russia as a time-tested friend that has played a significant role in its economic development and security.
According to the Russian Embassy in India, PM Modi and Putin, both of whom share a warm relationship, remain in regular contact every couple of months.
In July, PM Modi went to Russia in his first visit after he assumed office for a historic third term. He was conferred with Russia’s highest civilian honour, ‘The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle’ for his contribution to fostering India-Russia ties.
In October, PM Modi visited Kazan for two days for the BRICS Summit that was hosted by Russia. During bilateral talks, Putin made a light-hearted remark and thought PM Modi would understand his remarks without translation as both nations shared a “close” relationship.
“Our relations are so tight that I thought you would understand me without translation,” Putin said during the meeting. The remark drew a chuckle from PM Modi, whom Putin has called his “good friend” on several occasions.