NEW DELHI – Addressing India’s trade imbalance with Russia and securing the release of Indians who were misled into fighting in the Ukraine war will be among Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s priorities during his upcoming talks in Moscow, a top official said on Friday.
Modi is set to visit Russia on July 8-9 for discussions with President Vladimir Putin as part of the annual summits between New Delhi and Moscow, which have been ongoing since 2000.
Modi’s visit coincides with the July 9-11 NATO summit in Washington, where the Ukraine war will be a central topic. The timing of Modi’s visit has raised questions about the signal India could be sending. However, Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra emphasized that Modi’s visit is part of the scheduled summits between the two countries, with no direct connection to the NATO summit.
“The bilateral visit this time is just a scheduling priority that we have undertaken and that’s what it is,” Kwatra told reporters, dismissing any implied link between the visits.
India has long-standing historical ties with Russia dating back to the Soviet era but has also moved closer to Western nations, particularly the United States, as it has liberalized its economy and expanded geopolitical relations. Despite this, India has maintained a stance of strategic autonomy, balancing its interests.
India has not criticized Russia for its war in Ukraine and has instead called for a resolution through dialogue and diplomacy. At the same time, India has increased its imports of Russian oil to record levels, benefiting from discounted prices.
Addressing Trade Imbalance
Kwatra noted that India-Russia trade had significantly increased in 2023-24, reaching nearly $65 billion, primarily due to strong energy cooperation. However, Indian exports to Russia amounted to just $4 billion, highlighting a significant trade imbalance.
“Trade remains imbalanced, which is a matter of priority in our discussions with the Russian side,” Kwatra said. India aims to rectify this imbalance by pushing exports in sectors such as agriculture, technology, pharmaceuticals, and services.
Regarding sanctions imposed by G7 countries on Russia, Kwatra said India has been in regular talks with the bloc to protect and progress its national interests, particularly in sectors like diamonds and other industries.
Releasing Misled Indian Nationals
Modi is also expected to address the issue of Indian nationals who were misled into serving in the Russian army. Several cases have emerged this year of Indians being lured to Russia with promises of lucrative jobs or education, only to end up fighting against Ukraine. At least four Indian nationals have been reported killed in the war.
For Moscow, Modi’s visit presents an opportunity to showcase Putin receiving a leader from a country of India’s stature. For Modi, the visit serves to ensure Russia does not fully align with China and to dispel any perception of drifting India-Russia relations, analysts suggest.