US Urges Caution on Commenting About PM Modi's Possible Russia Visit

June 26, Washington DC:
Reports have surfaced suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a visit to Russia in July, according to US State Department spokeswoman Matthew Miller. But until the two governments publicly acknowledged the visit, he would not comment on the news.

Miller said, "So we've seen those reports," when asked about the US reaction to Prime Minister Modi's upcoming travel to Russia to meet with Putin. So far, neither country has officially acknowledged the visit. Until I see them publicly confirmed by the relevant governments, I will wait to comment.

His comments followed rumours that Russia and India are finalising plans for Prime Minister Modi to visit Russia in the near future. According to RIA Novosti, a Russian news agency, Russian Foreign Policy Adviser Yuri Ushakov, verified the news. I can confirm that we are arranging for a visit by the Prime Minister of India," Yuri Ushakov stated. We are unable to disclose the dates at this time as they have already been announced by the parties involved. This visit will happen, though, and we are making every effort to be ready.

India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, was sworn in for his third consecutive term on June 9. "The Russian President warmly congratulated Narendra Modi on the success of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the recent general parliamentary elections," stated the Russian President's office in an official statement earlier.
If the trip goes forward, Prime Minister Modi will be making his first visit to Russia since 2019 and the first since February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. Even though the yearly India-Russia Summit hasn't taken place in the previous two years, Putin made his most recent visit to New Delhi in 2021.

Putin said Prime Minister Modi, "This is not an era of war" and urged for the route of communication and diplomacy to end the situation in Ukraine during their last meeting on September 16, 2022, at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Despite strengthening security and strategic links with the United States and other major Western powers, India has remained silent on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Despite early criticism from the US, India persisted in buying Russian petroleum, claiming it was necessary to keep domestic oil prices in check. Nonetheless, India has repeatedly called for an end to the fighting in Ukraine and a return to diplomatic talks in order to resolve the situation amicably.