Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to begin a two-day visit to Russia on Monday, his first since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine. During this visit, Modi will engage in crucial one-on-one discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer.
On July 8, Modi will dine privately with Putin, marking their first meeting since the war began. The conflict has strained the relationship between the long-time allies and pushed Russia closer to India’s regional rival, China.
During his visit, PM Modi will be physically conferred the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called, the highest state decoration by the Russian Federation. The visit is significant for India as it seeks to deepen and strengthen its energy ties with Russia. With Europe procuring energy supplies from West Asia at higher prices due to the Ukraine war, India is exploring various routes, including the Arctic route, to evacuate energy from Russia. India also plans to invest more in Russia’s energy sector.
Key discussions between Modi and Putin will focus on the Ukraine war, which continues to destabilize global markets and security. Having had firsthand discussions with G-7 leaders during the Italy summit last month, Modi is in a unique position to impress upon Putin the futility of prolonging the conflict and to urge him to return to the negotiating table. Modi is one of the few global leaders with a strong personal rapport with Putin, and both share mutual respect.
Modi will also address the issue of recruiting Indians to fight in the Ukraine war and seek to deepen cooperation with Russia in the fields of space and nuclear energy. India aims to activate Kudankulam Reactors III and IV with Russian assistance in the next two years and to begin work on Reactors V and VI for the 6000 MW plant. Additionally, India is seeking Russian help for its Gaganyaan space mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space and establish a future space station as well as a moon landing.
After visiting the Rosatom exhibition, showcasing Russian nuclear technology in Moscow, Modi will fly to Vienna for a private dialogue with Austrian Chancellor Nehammer on July 9. This marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Vienna since 1983. Austria has a historical connection with India, notably through Indologist Joseph Tieffenhaler, whose 1740 travelogue was cited in the Supreme Court judgment in the Ayodhya Ramjanambhoomi case.
In Vienna, discussions will center around the Ukraine war, with both nations potentially playing a role in resolving the conflict. The Ukraine war has serious economic ramifications for the Global South, and as a non-NATO member and part of the EU, Austria is in a unique position to contribute to peace efforts. Austrian companies are already involved in Indian infrastructure projects, and Vienna leads in clean and green technologies, such as converting used cooking oil into green fuel.