Indian Prime Minister to Depart for Moscow on Monday; Modi Concerned About Growing China-Russia Relations

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave New Delhi for Moscow on Monday for a two-day official visit. This visit comes at a time when Russia's relations with India's traditional rival, China, are expanding. Chintamani Mahapatra, founder of the Indo-Pacific Studies Institute, told Voice of America that Modi's goal is to emphasize the importance of India-Russia relations. Mahapatra added that Modi wants to ensure that the growing relationship between China and Russia does not affect New Delhi-Moscow relations. Modi is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking their first meeting since the onset of the war in Ukraine. India has so far refrained from condemning Russia's military invasion of Ukraine but has consistently emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution. Russia and India have a strong and longstanding relationship, but its importance for Moscow has increased amid tensions with the West. Analysts believe Modi's visit is also significant for Putin, as he wants to demonstrate that he is not in international isolation. The Indian Parliament has elected Narendra Modi as Prime Minister for the third time. Leaders of China and Russia met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kazakhstan. The conditions set by Modi's allies for forming a coalition government include the allocation of financial resources and cabinet participation. The G20 summit in New Delhi concluded with Macron stating that Russia is isolated. Moscow and New Delhi signed several military and commercial agreements.