Tue Nov 19 12:02:33 UTC 2024: ## Putin to Visit India Early Next Year Amidst Ukraine War

**New Delhi/Moscow –** Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India early next year, the Kremlin announced today. The visit, part of a reciprocal annual leadership exchange program, follows an invitation extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the recent BRICS summit in Kazan. While the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refrained from detailing the visit’s agenda, he confirmed that specific dates are being finalized.

The announcement comes on the 1000th day of the Russia-Ukraine war, a conflict that has seen a recent escalation following the US authorization of long-range missile strikes by Ukraine into Russian territory. This also follows Russia’s updated nuclear doctrine, allowing for the targeting of non-nuclear states under certain conditions.

Despite the ongoing conflict, India and Russia maintain strong bilateral ties and significant trade continues. Prime Minister Modi has consistently advocated for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine war, emphasizing diplomacy and dialogue as the only path to a solution. He previously reiterated this position to President Putin, offering India’s assistance in brokering peace. This commitment includes a previous dispatch of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to Moscow with a reported peace plan.

Prime Minister Modi has personally underscored India’s commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, visiting both Ukraine and Russia in recent months to engage directly with President Zelenskyy and President Putin respectively. His emphasis on dialogue has been widely praised internationally. The upcoming visit from President Putin is expected to further strengthen the “special and privileged strategic partnership” between India and Russia.

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