While in Moscow for a noteworthy two days, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding summit-level discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Modi’s first visit to Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 is set for July 8–9.
PM Modi’s Moscow Visit
Modi and Putin will discuss the full spectrum of relations between their two nations and exchange opinions on important regional and international problems during this 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit. The high-level visit was announced by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, with a focus on its significance for both countries.
Modi’s last trip to Russia was for an economic summit in Vladivostok in 2019, making this his first visit in almost five years. At the SCO Summit in September 2022, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, they had their final face-to-face bilateral meeting. It was there that Modi made his now-famous statement, “This is not the era of war.”
India has remained impartial about the situation in Ukraine and has pushed for communication and diplomacy as a means of settlement. India has not denounced Russia’s incursion into Ukraine, in spite of international pressure.
Modi and Putin have maintained constant communication over the last 2.5 years, having spoken over the phone at least ten times since their most recent yearly summit in December 2021. After attending the G7 leaders’ summit in Italy on June 13–14, Modi travelled to Russia. He did not, however, travel to Switzerland for the meeting on peace with Ukraine.
After visiting Russia, Modi will go to Austria on July 9–10. This will be the first visit to Austria by an Indian prime minister in 41 years, since Indira Gandhi’s trip there in 1983.
Rahul Gandhi in Assam and Manipur
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP), is currently visiting Manipur and Assam. Gandhi’s visit to Manipur as the LoP is significant because it comes after he recently voiced his concerns in the Lok Sabha on the ethnic conflict between the Kuki-Zomi and Meitei communities.
Senior Congressmen are hoping that Gandhi’s presence will draw attention to how urgent it is that Prime Minister Modi visit the unstable state. Gandhi will first assist those hit by flooding at a relief camp in the Cachar district of Assam before moving on to Manipur.
In Manipur, Gandhi will meet with Governor Anusuiya Uikey to discuss the issue and tour aid camps in Jiribam, Churachandpur, and Moirang. His visit to Jiribam is especially noteworthy because, up until recent unrest, the town was quiet.
Opposition members demanding “Justice for Manipur” interrupted Prime Minister Modi’s lengthy response to the debate on the President’s address during the Lok Sabha session on July 2.
Key Legal Proceedings
The Delhi High Court will consider a plea from Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asking for more meetings with his attorneys, among other noteworthy developments. Kejriwal has contested a trial court’s ruling restricting his access to legal counsel to two sessions per week after being imprisoned in relation to the Delhi excise policy issue.
The Supreme Court will also hear a number of petitions pertaining to NEET-UG 2024. These petitions request that the May 5 exam be cancelled on the grounds of anomalies. The National Testing Agency (NTA) and the Centre contend that eliminating the exam will harm a great number of deserving applicants.
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