Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit India, with preparations for the visit currently underway, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed on Thursday.
The announcement was made during the “Russia and India: Toward a New Bilateral Agenda” conference, jointly hosted by the Embassy of India in Russia and the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC).
Addressing the conference via video, Lavrov stated, “President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation to visit from the Indian head of government. A visit by the Russian head of state to the Republic of India is currently being prepared.”
His remarks were quoted by the Russian news agency TASS.
Putin’s forthcoming visit follows Modi’s trip to Russia last year in July, when he attended the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit at Putin’s invitation.
Earlier in February, reports suggested that Prime Minister Modi was likely to visit Moscow for the Victory Day parade on 9 May, marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s triumph in the Great Patriotic War.
TASS cited a military source indicating that the visit had a “high probability.”
Also read: PM Modi to visit Russia to attend Victory Day parade
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning a visit to the May 9 parade in Moscow. It is highly likely that it will take place,” the source stated.
According to the same source, discussions are ongoing regarding the participation of an Indian armed forces ceremonial unit in the parade.
“The issue of participation in the parade on Red Square of a ceremonial unit of the Indian armed forces, which should arrive at least a month [before the parade] for rehearsals, is also being worked out,” the source noted.
The report further mentioned that arrangements for the transportation of Indian military personnel were still being discussed.
TASS earlier reported that Lavrov had confirmed the participation of multiple invited nations in the Victory Day events scheduled in Moscow on 9 May.
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