Modi has flown to Moscow for his first visit to Russia since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war

The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Russia for his first visit since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Modi flew to Moscow on Monday for his first visit to Russia since 2019. It is also his first foreign trip since he began his third term as prime minister in June.

"I look forward to reviewing all aspects of bilateral cooperation with my friend President Putin and exchanging views on various regional and global issues," Modi said in a statement.

"We seek to play a supporting role for a peaceful and stable region," he said.

Russia remains India's main supplier of cheap oil and weapons, but Moscow's isolation from the West and warm relations with Beijing have affected its long-standing partnership with New Delhi.

At the same time, Western powers have cultivated ties with India in recent years to counter China and its growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region, while forcing India to distance itself from Russia.

Modi's last visit to Russia was in 2019. Weeks before Russia launched a full-scale military operation against Ukraine in 2022, Modi hosted a visiting Putin in New Delhi.

Indian state media confirmed on Monday afternoon that Modi had arrived in Russia for an official visit.

During the war, India has avoided explicitly condemning Russia and abstained from voting on United Nations resolutions condemning Moscow.