Narendra Modi has broken with "established traditions" and decided to visit Russia as his first foreign trip after being re-elected.
The Prime Minister of India will pay a working visit to the Russian Federation on July 8-9.
Bloomberg learned why Modi decided to visit Russia first.
According to experts, the Indian Prime Minister is concerned about the strengthening of ties between Russia and China.
India-China relations are currently at their lowest point since about 2020.
Modi's decision thus underlines the importance of Russia for India.
Bloomberg points out that in recent years this country has significantly increased the volume of energy resources it purchases from Russia.
Moreover, India depends on supplies of Russian military equipment, analysts emphasize.
Usually, the head of the Indian government chose nearby countries – Bhutan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives – as his first foreign trip after re-election.
This has already become a kind of tradition. But in 2024, Modi decided to break it.
However, the agency reports that Russia and India will not sign any key agreements on July 8-9.
But the countries are expected to strengthen cooperation in the field of "military logistics," resume discussions on the joint creation of a 5th-generation fighter jet, and address issues of cooperation in the field of nuclear energy.
Earlier, the State Duma responded to reports of Russian submarine maneuvers near Britain.
