Putin Begins Two-Day India Visit as Defence and Energy Ties Dominate Agenda
President Vladimir Putin is set to begin a high-stakes two-day visit to India on Thursday, marking his first trip to the country since the start of the Ukraine war. His arrival comes at a moment of significant geopolitical pressure, as New Delhi attempts to maintain its long-standing strategic partnership with Moscow while navigating intensifying scrutiny from the United States over its continued imports of Russian oil.
During the visit, Putin will be joined by a high-level delegation that includes Russia’s Defence Minister, Andrei Belousov. Indian media reports suggest the visit could pave the way for major new defence agreements, including discussions about co-producing advanced fighter jets. For India—one of the world’s largest military importers—the meeting holds major implications for its defence modernisation and foreign policy balancing act.
Putin is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening for a private dinner, followed by a full bilateral summit and a business forum on Friday. The Indian government has described the visit as part of an “annual summit-level tradition,” though this particular visit carries far more weight given the global context.
Beyond defence cooperation, trade is expected to feature prominently in the discussions. India continues to walk a diplomatic tightrope, relying on Russian energy and military supplies while seeking to avoid sparking backlash from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, which has increasingly pressured Delhi to scale down its dealings with Moscow.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that Russia’s delivery of its advanced S-400 air defence systems—already partially supplied to India—would be a key item on the agenda. India has received three of the five S-400 units purchased under a 2018 agreement, but deliveries were delayed due to Russia’s war in Ukraine and the resulting Western sanctions.
Putin Expected to Push for Fighter Jet Co-Production
Indian media outlets have reported that Putin may propose a co-production arrangement involving Russia’s next-generation Su-57 fighter jets. Such a deal could significantly boost India’s effort to modernise its air force, which is increasingly focused on balancing domestic military manufacturing with high-tech foreign acquisitions.
Russia has historically been India’s biggest defence supplier. However, data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) shows a decline in Russia’s share of Indian defence imports—from 76% between 2009 and 2013 to 36% between 2019 and 2023. India has accelerated efforts to diversify suppliers while boosting domestic defence production, but Moscow remains central to maintaining the country’s existing arsenal, most of which is built around Russian hardware.
The visit by Putin follows Trump’s decision in August to impose a 50% tariff on most Indian exports to the United States. The tariffs were widely interpreted as retaliation for India’s heavy purchases of discounted Russian oil, which Washington argues indirectly finances Moscow’s military efforts in Ukraine.
India—now the world’s most populous country—has become one of the largest buyers of Russian crude, saving billions through discounted imports while providing Moscow with a vital market after European countries cut off purchases due to the war. However, recent U.S. sanctions targeting Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil have pressured India into reducing some imports.
Despite geopolitical strains, Peskov insisted that Moscow remains unconcerned about Washington’s tariffs. “What concerns us is how we maintain and grow our bilateral business with India without allowing anyone to interfere,” he told Indian journalists.
Experts in Delhi say that while India may tactically cut back on Russian oil purchases to ease U.S. pressure, the long-term trajectory of the India-Russia partnership will remain stable because of shared strategic interests.
A senior Indian foreign ministry official, speaking anonymously, noted that one of the major challenges between Delhi and Moscow remains the significant trade imbalance. Bilateral trade surged to $68.7 billion in 2024–25—almost six times the pre-pandemic level—yet Indian exports accounted for just $4.88 billion of that figure.
India is pushing for better market access in Russia for pharmaceuticals, automobiles, agricultural products, and IT services. Officials expect Putin’s visit to unlock new opportunities to rebalance trade flows and strengthen economic ties beyond energy and defence.
Analysts like Nandan Unnikrishnan of the Observer Research Foundation say Putin’s visit offers both sides a chance to reassess the global geopolitical landscape and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Harsh V Pant from King’s College London believes the trip is “an attempt to reset relations at a critical geopolitical moment.”
Despite global tensions and Western pressure, Indian officials describe the India-Russia relationship as “one of the most stable in modern times.” They argue the meeting should be viewed in its bilateral context—not just through the prism of global politics.
For India, Putin’s arrival signals a reaffirmation of strategic autonomy. For Russia, the visit demonstrates enduring partnerships beyond Europe and China. As Putin embarks on this crucial two-day diplomatic mission, both nations aim to reinforce ties that have weathered decades of shifting global alliances.
Source- EWN
