PRIME Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit outside India in his third term has shown him as the most sought-after statesman in today’s polarised world. While host Russian President Vladimir Putin honoured him with the country’s highest civilian award, the White House asserted that it won’t affect the US-India ‘strategic partnership’.
Watching on the sidelines, China – where Putin’s latest visit had caused lot of speculation – wondered how India under PM Modi could maintain ties with Russia and the West simultaneously, without any questions being raised. The reactions from world capitals to PM Modi’s historic two-day visit (July 8-9) to Moscow varied from euphoria to awe. The common denominator, however, was the acumen of PM Modi across sharp divides in the midst of ongoing wars in Europe and the Middle-East.
Political significance
During his earlier two terms, PM Modi had emerged as the world’s most popular leader. At the outset of his third term, he has strengthened that halo manifold.
Though Indian officials described the Prime Minister’s visit as bilateral – to attend the 22nd India-Russia Summit – the red carpet rolled out for him in Moscow signified it was special. The fact that it was his first since the outbreak of Russia-Ukraine conflict, imbued it with added political significance.
In a rare gesture, PM Modi was received by at the airport by Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, who is senior to the Deputy Prime Minister who received the Chinese President during his recent visit. Also characteristic was PM Modi’s long one-on-one chat with President Putin without intermediaries. This allowed the two leaders to have candid discussions and deepen their personal bond.
Bilateral agreements
Though the signing of bilateral agreements did dispel speculation about India’s policy-shift toward the West and strengthened the traditional India-Russia ties, the message was clear. Russia occupies a pivotal place in India’s strategic calculations, and the latter will not yield to external pressures.
Putin lauded Modi’s “long life of public service” and expressed confidence in India’s bright future in his third term. Modi reciprocated the warmth, but reminded Putin of his earlier advice that “this was not an era of war.”
Optics apart, the timing of the India-Russia Summit was also telling: it took place when Western military alliance NATO was celebrating its 75th anniversary in Washington, DC. PM Modi has articulated the vision of India in its journey toward Viksit Bharat without equivocation. India stands for inclusive growth and wellbeing of the entire humanity. But it won’t allow power blocs, in either the West or the East, to deflect from its onward journey.
