Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to embark on an official visit to Russia and Austria from July 8 to July 10, as announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday.
According to an official release by the MEA, "Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will pay an official visit to the Russian Federation and the Republic of Austria from 08-10 July 2024."
During this visit, Prime Minister Modi will be in Moscow on July 8 and July 9 at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin. The primary purpose of this visit is to attend the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit.
The ministry stated, "The leaders will review the entire range of multifaceted relations between the two countries and exchange views on contemporary regional and global issues of mutual interest."
This visit marks PM Modi's first trip to Russia since its military offensive and invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. His previous visit to Russia was in 2019 when he participated in an economic conclave in Vladivostok.
The Kremlin highlighted that a major focus of the meeting between PM Modi and President Putin will be on deepening trade and economic cooperation. According to the Kremlin, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet with Vladimir Putin to discuss further development of the traditionally amicable relations between Russia and India, as well as pressing international and regional issues."
The last meeting between Putin and PM Modi took place in September 2022 at a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Uzbekistan. Additionally, in 2021, Putin visited New Delhi for talks with PM Modi.
Following the conclusion of his summit in Russia, PM Modi will travel to Austria from July 9 to July 10. This visit is historically significant as it will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Austria in 41 years, the last being Indira Gandhi in 1983.
In Vienna, Prime Minister Modi will meet with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and hold discussions with Chancellor Karl Nehammer. Following their talks, PM Modi and Chancellor Nehammer will address business leaders from both countries.
