Modi ‘more likely’ to visit Russia next year – Kremlin

The Indian prime minister’s visit scheduled for this year could take place next year, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Russia next year for his annual summit with President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin said on Monday, after preparing for a visit this year.

”More likely next year,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS when asked whether Modi would visit before the end of the year.

Putin invited Modi to Russia for the 24th Russia-India Annual Summit during his visit to New Delhi last December. The two leaders meet on a rotating basis under a strategic partnership established in 2000.

Preparations for the visit were already under way in May. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Modi confirmed during their meeting in New Delhi that it is his turn to visit Russia this year. Lavrov was in India for a meeting of BRICS foreign ministers.

Modi and Putin last met in September during the BRICS summit in New Delhi, when the Russian president renewed his invitation. Modi accepted, with the dates to be finalized through diplomatic channels, according to the Indian Prime Minister’s Office.

Moscow, however, raised the possibility of a 2027 visit last month. A visit this year is possible if Modi’s schedule permits, but Russia will otherwise arrange the meeting in the first half of next year, Kremlin presidential aide Yury Ushakov said.

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The two countries are working toward an annual trade target of $100 billion by 2030, with energy, investment, and industrial cooperation central to their economic relationship. Bilateral trade reached $38 billion in the first six months of 2026, Indian Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar said at a business forum in Kazan last week.

Cooperation has also advanced on workforce mobility. Putin signed an agreement on the temporary employment of Indian and Russian nationals last week.

India remains a natural partner for Russia as Moscow strengthens its relations with Asian countries, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said last week. Maintaining strong ties serves the interests of both nations and the world, he added.