Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit India, with preparations now in full swing, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Thursday.

Speaking via video at the “Russia and India: Toward a New Bilateral Agenda” conference hosted by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), Lavrov confirmed the upcoming trip, though specific dates remain undisclosed.

“President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation from the Indian head of government. A visit by the Russian head of state to the Republic of India is currently being prepared,” Lavrov stated, as reported by TASS.

He highlighted the reciprocal nature of the visit, noting Modi’s trip to Russia in July 2024—his first foreign visit after re-election—as a precursor. “Now it’s our turn,” Lavrov added.

Modi’s July visit, his first to Russia in nearly five years since attending a 2019 economic conclave in Vladivostok, saw him extend the invitation to Putin during bilateral talks. The announcement underscores the strengthening ties between New Delhi and Moscow, even amid global geopolitical shifts.

While logistical details are being finalized, the visit is poised to deepen the strategic partnership, building on decades of Indo-Russian cooperation. Both nations are expected to prioritize discussions on trade, defense, and regional stability, reinforcing their “special and privileged” relationship.