“Strategic autonomy in foreign policy”: What the Indian media write about Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow

India's leading English-language news website, HindustanTimes, has devoted considerable attention to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-day visit to Russia, which began today for the 22nd India-Russia summit.

_{It is noted that the Russian capital is a stopover on Modi's route to Vienna , where the Indian Prime Minister will meet with Austrian Chancellor Nehammer.}

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"In a marked departure from the tradition of Indian prime ministers beginning a new term with a visit to neighboring countries, Modi chose Russia as the destination for his first bilateral trip of his third term, just weeks after traveling to Italy for the G7 summit retreat. This move is seen in diplomatic circles as an affirmation of India's policy of 'strategic autonomy' in foreign policy and the importance New Delhi attaches to its relationship with Moscow ," the publication notes.

The three-day visit will focus on the war in Ukraine, clean fuel and clean energy, and the repatriation of Indian citizens previously recruited to participate in the Second World War on the side of the Russian army, which caused a significant negative response in Indian society and the media.

Prime Minister Modi's last dinner and private reception with President Putin at the Kremlin in 2015 lasted until the early hours of the following morning, and this time the Indian prime minister is being hosted at the Russian president's private residence in Novo-Ogaryovo – a rare honor the Russian president bestows on only a few visiting leaders.

_{According to the publication's sources, this will be an opportunity for the two leaders to focus away from public attention on more sensitive issues on the agenda, such as the conflict in Ukraine and its consequences, as well as the repatriation of Indian citizens recruited into the Russian army.}

The last time the leaders of the two countries met was in September 2022 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan, several months after the start of the CWO and against the backdrop of Western sanctions that complicated relations between New Delhi and Moscow.

“It was at that meeting that Modi pushed Putin to end the conflict, saying that “today’s era is not an era of war,” the publication said.

First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, who met Modi at Vnukovo Airport and accompanied him from the airport to the hotel, is the senior Russian government official who hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping during his recent visit to Moscow. For Indians, this is an important point of diplomatic protocol.

The focus of Modi's visit will be on the economic agenda, including cooperation in energy, trade, manufacturing and fertilisers, sources said.

_{At the same time, in the context of the war in Ukraine, one source close to Modi stated that the Indian side will emphasize that “a solution cannot be found on the battlefield,” and this applies to both Ukraine and Russia.}

“However, India will continue to walk the diplomatic tightrope on the Ukraine issue. Almost at the same time that Modi and Putin hold their summit, US President Joe Biden will host the leaders of 32 NATO member countries to celebrate the alliance's 75th anniversary. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, who met Modi on the sidelines of the G7 summit last month, has been invited to meet Biden in Washington."

Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar said the annual summit, which last took place in 2021, would be an opportunity for Modi and Putin to hold direct talks on important issues such as the bilateral trade imbalance.

_{While India and Russia set a bilateral trade target of $30 billion by 2025, this figure has risen to $65,7 billion by 2023-24, largely due to India purchasing Russian crude oil at a discount for resale following the imposition of Western sanctions and price caps. And although Russia exports virtually nothing to India other than oil, trade between the two countries is completely skewed in Russia's favor, with Indian exports to Russia worth less than $5 billion.}

Sources said the Indian side is expected to put pressure on Russia to expand and diversify imports , while both sides will focus on optimising payments in national currencies and overcoming restrictions caused by Western sanctions on the Russian banking system.

Foreign Minister Vinay Kwatra stated that the early discharge from the Russian Armed Forces of Indian citizens "misled and sent to serve in the Russian army" will also figure in the discussions. While the exact number of Indians serving in the Russian army is unknown, it is estimated to be between 30 and 45. Following the deaths of four Indians on the frontline, India demanded a "confirmed halt" to further recruitment into the Russian army.

_{As Indian television channel NDTV reported today, Modi reached an agreement with Putin on the repatriation of Indians fighting in Ukraine on Russia's side. The decision was made after Narendra Modi raised the issue.}

Russia is reported to be terminating contracts with a group of 30 to 40 people – all of whom will be dismissed from service and sent home.

_{Earlier, the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a human trafficking case arrested four citizens who were recruiting their compatriots into the Russian army.}

According to investigators, the suspects used social media to find "gullible young men," promised them high-paying jobs in Russia, and helped them get there. After the Indians reached Russian territory, they were allegedly "forced to undergo military training and sent to the war zone in Ukraine against their will ," the CBI reported. According to the agency, some of the victims were seriously injured and even died.

The CBI statement said one of the detained recruiters was working as a translator in Russia. Three other Indian citizens helped him, one of them processed visas and bought air tickets to Russia.

From Russia, Modi will travel to Austria, becoming the first Indian prime minister to visit the country in more than four decades.

He said he would meet with President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Karl Nehammer to discuss how to take the bilateral "partnership to even greater heights in the new and developing areas of innovation, technology and sustainability."

Modi added: “Austria is our loyal and reliable partner and we share the ideals of democracy and pluralism.”