NEW DELHI: As Russian President Vladimir Putin begins his two-day visit to India, former Indian Ambassador to Poland, Deepak Vohra, on Thursday described the visit as highly significant, especially at a time when Russia remains engaged in its war with Ukraine.
He added that President Putin’s arrival sends a message that Russia is not diplomatically isolated and that India continues to stand as an important partner.
Speaking to IANS, Vohra said, “We call every visit a new chapter -- it happens every time someone arrives. But this visit, at a time when Russia is facing challenges in Ukraine, truly marks a new chapter. Both sides are exchanging sharp words -- Ukraine says, ‘We will do this, ’ and Russia responds, ‘Try it, and I will destroy you.’ If a leader leaves his country during such times, it means two things: first, he trusts his system, and second, he wants to demonstrate to the world that he is not alone. China, Iran, and North Korea are not his only partners. He wants to show that the world’s largest democracy, the world’s third-largest economy, one of the strongest militaries, and a nation known for exceptional diplomacy also stands by him.”
Vohra emphasised that the India-Russia relationship extends beyond headlines or momentary political narratives.
“This is probably his 17th or 18th meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and what does it mean? People will say, ‘Historic moment, game changer.’ After five days, everyone will forget. Another leader will visit, and attention will shift. But the reality is that our friendship is decades old. People say India became independent -- that is nonsense. India was partitioned. Yet from then until today, neither the Soviet Union nor Russia has ever threatened India’s core interests. Neither have we worked against theirs. That trust is the foundation of this relationship.”