Modi is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the visit, which will extend into Tuesday. India’s Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra told reporters in New Delhi that given the lack of recent summits, several issues on the bilateral agenda “have piled up, which need to be addressed.” Senior Indian diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that while major announcements are unlikely, Modi’s visit is intended to send a signal that the two sides remain close.

The rift between the two nations was ignited when former Maldivian ministers, Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha, and Hassan Zihan, made derogatory comments about Prime Minister Modi following his visit to Lakshadweep.