Preps on for Putin visit to India

RUSSIAN Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Thursday that President Vladimir Putin has accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation to visit India, and preparations for the visit are currently underway.

- JAYANTH JACOB

"It is symbolic that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first bilateral foreign visit after his re-election last year to Russia. Now, it is our turn. Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted the invitation from the Indian government. Preparations are underway for the visit of the Russian head of state to India," Lavrov said in a video address to the conference 'Russia and India: Toward a New Bilateral Agenda', hosted by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and also addressed by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

However, both sides didn't indicate any dates for the visit, maintaining that it will take place at the earliest mutually convenient date.

Lavrov expressed his gratitude to India and personally to Prime Minister Modi for consistently maintaining a balanced stance on the Ukrainian crisis. He praised India for advocating a resolution through dialogue and for supporting efforts to address the root causes of the conflict.