Russian President Putin's Upcoming Visit to India Sparks Diplomatic Discussions
Diplomatic Efforts for Student Safety
Ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India, Hanuman Beniwal, a member of the National Democratic Party, urged the central government on Wednesday to initiate high-level diplomatic efforts to ensure the safe return of 61 Indian students. He alleged that despite traveling on work and study visas, these students were inadvertently caught up in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
In a conversation with media representatives, Beniwal stated, "Indian students and youth who went to Russia on work and study visas have been pushed into the Ukrainian war... It is the moral duty of Prime Minister Modi and the BJP to ensure the safe return of these students. I raised this issue in Parliament."
Putin's Visit and Strategic Discussions
President Putin is scheduled to visit India on December 4-5 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the 23rd annual India-Russia summit. Speaking at an investment forum in Moscow, Putin emphasized that the aim of various joint projects in energy, industry, space, and agriculture is to strengthen ties with both Beijing and New Delhi.
He remarked, "Our goal is to elevate cooperation with the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India to a new qualitative level by enhancing its technical component. This is the purpose of our joint projects in energy, industry, space, agriculture, and other sectors."
Potential Military Discussions
Previously, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that the agenda for this visit might include discussions on the sale of additional S-400 long-range anti-aircraft missiles. He noted that this topic is likely to be prioritized during the discussions, stating, "Our military industry is performing very well. The share of Russian weapons in the Indian armed forces stands at 36 percent."
Peskov also mentioned that Russia is hopeful for discussions regarding India's potential acquisition of the fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Su-57.