New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India soon, with dates for his trip currently being finalised, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced on Tuesday. Speaking via video conference at an event in New Delhi organised by the Sputnik news outlet, Peskov expressed optimism about the upcoming visit, stating, "We hope very soon. We are looking forward to it and will figure out the dates of President Putin’s visit to India."

This will mark President Putin’s first visit to India since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict nearly three years ago.

India-Russia Relations and Diplomatic Initiatives
The announcement follows a series of high-level engagements between India and Russia, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kazan earlier this year for the BRICS Summit. During that visit, PM Modi and President Putin displayed strong camaraderie, highlighted by their discussions on global issues and shared efforts to strengthen bilateral ties.

PM Modi was also conferred with Russia’s highest civilian honor, The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, in recognition of his contributions to fostering India-Russia relations.

At Tuesday’s event, Peskov praised India’s diplomatic efforts in global issues, particularly PM Modi’s role in mediating discussions related to the Russia-Ukraine crisis. “President Putin values the efforts of Prime Minister Modi, who remains in contact with both sides and has the ability to evaluate the situation objectively,” Peskov noted.

Russia’s Position on India-China Relations
Peskov reiterated Russia’s neutral stance on India-China relations, emphasizing that Moscow respects the bilateral initiatives between the two nations. Referring to recent talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Peskov stated that Russia does not interfere but supports regional resolutions.

"We value our relationships with both India and China and believe that regional problems should be solved without external interference," Peskov said. He also commended the bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS Summit in Kazan, which was hosted by Russia.

Nuclear Deterrence and Rising Tensions
Meanwhile, back in Moscow, President Putin signed a decree updating Russia’s nuclear deterrence policy amidst heightened tensions with the United States. This development follows reports that the U.S. had allowed Ukraine to use American-supplied long-range ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory. Putin warned of potential consequences, adding another layer of complexity to the global geopolitical landscape.

Conclusion
President Putin’s anticipated visit to India underscores the strength of India-Russia ties amidst evolving global challenges. With key diplomatic discussions on the horizon, the visit is expected to further enhance cooperation between the two nations on economic, defense, and geopolitical fronts.