Putin's top ally, Vyacheslav Volodin, to visit India for series of 'important' discussions

Vyacheslav Volodin, the chairman of Russia’s State Duma and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, said Sunday (February 2) that he was travelling to India for a series of “important” discussions.

“We will be in New Delhi by nightfall, important meetings and negotiations are planned tomorrow,” Volodin wrote on his Telegram channel.

Calling India a “strategic partner,” Volodin said the long-standing trust and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two nations and stressed the need to expand engagement across all sectors.

Strengthening parliamentary ties

Volodin’s had previously met with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in July 2024 on the sidelines of the 10th Brics Parliamentary Forum in St. Petersburg.

At the time, he highlighted the role of leaders Narendra Modi and Putin in elevating Russia-India relations and called for greater parliamentary cooperation.

“The joint statement that was adopted following Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow set the task of enhancing cooperation between the parliaments of the two states, including holding regular meetings of the inter-parliamentary commission. We should implement this task and do everything to create an inter-parliamentary mechanism to solve effectively the tasks set by Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin,” Volodin said

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Ukraine mediation in focus?

While discussions on parliamentary engagement are expected to be on the agenda, Russia’s war in Ukraine could also be a topic of interest.

India has maintained a neutral stance on the conflict and has not joined Western sanctions against Moscow. However, there has been speculation about India playing a mediation role, particularly after Putin suggested such a role for New Delhi and Beijing.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar suggested in early 2024 that New Delhi would be open to mediating if approached.

Nearly a year has passed since Jaishankar said India would not take the initiative but would consider mediation if both parties were willing. Volodin’s visit comes amid continued speculation over India’s potential diplomatic role in bringing Moscow and Kyiv to the negotiating table.

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With inputs from agencies