Russian President Vladimir Putin has informed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he won't be able to attend the upcoming G20 Summit scheduled to take place in Delhi next weekend. Instead, Putin will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office.
The two leaders recently engaged in discussions during the BRICS Summit held in South Africa, where they conversed about various topics spanning bilateral, regional, and global issues.
In a brief phone call, Prime Minister Modi expressed his understanding of Putin's decision and extended India's appreciation for Russia's support, given its current role as the G20's presidency holder. Both leaders agreed to maintain communication going forward, as reported by the Prime Minister's Office.
Amid growing speculation that Putin would skip the G20 Summit, this news follows the Kremlin's prior statement on the Russian leader. Putin has been under international scrutiny for his involvement in the conflict with Ukraine. The G20 Summit is scheduled for September 9th and 10th in New Delhi.
Notably, Vladimir Putin also took the opportunity to congratulate Narendra Modi on the successful landing of India's Chandrayaan 3 spacecraft on the Moon's South Pole. The leaders reiterated their commitment to advancing collaborative efforts in the space sector, further solidifying bilateral cooperation.
