Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India on Thursday for a two-day state visit aimed at strengthening defence cooperation and addressing a widening trade imbalance, even as New Delhi faces intensifying pressure from the United States to reduce its reliance on Moscow for discounted crude oil.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally received the Russian leader at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, greeting him with a warm embrace before the two leaders rode together in the same vehicle — a gesture underlining the strategic weight of the visit. This is Putin’s first trip to India since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, a period that has seen global geopolitics shift dramatically.
Putin landed in New Delhi accompanied by Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, signalling that military cooperation will dominate discussions. High-level talks are expected to involve advanced fighter jet deals, air defence systems, and broader defence industrial collaboration.
In an interview with India Today ahead of his arrival, Putin described Modi as “my friend”, adding that he was “very happy” to be meeting him. “The range of our cooperation with India is huge,” he said, highlighting defence, space, nuclear energy, and manufacturing as key pillars of the relationship.
Trade Imbalance and Strategic Autonomy
A senior Indian foreign ministry official, speaking off record, acknowledged that while bilateral relations remain strong, the growing trade imbalance is becoming a concern.
India–Russia trade soared to $68.7 billion in 2024–25, nearly six times the pre-pandemic levels. However, Indian exports accounted for only $4.88 billion, raising pressure on New Delhi to push for better market access for its pharmaceutical, automotive, and service industries.
Delhi has repeatedly urged Moscow to open its markets wider and facilitate smoother entry for Indian products.
Harsh V. Pant, an international relations expert at King’s College London, described Putin’s visit as an attempt by both nations “to reset their relationship at a critical geopolitical moment.”
“For India, the optics signal strategic autonomy,” he said. “Putin rarely travels, and his presence here is a clear message about how seriously Russia values its ties with India.”
Despite the global spotlight, the Indian foreign ministry insists the engagements should be viewed as part of the annual summit tradition between the two long-time partners — a tradition uninterrupted despite global tensions.
Defence: S-400 Systems and Su-57 Co-Production on the Table
Defence cooperation remains the backbone of the India–Russia partnership. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that discussions would include the potential expansion of Russia’s advanced S-400 air defence system supply.
Indian media outlets have also reported the possibility of Russia offering India co-production rights for the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet, a move that could significantly boost India’s ambitions for military self-reliance.
India has long been one of the world’s top defence importers, with Russia historically supplying the bulk of its military equipment. But the landscape has shifted in recent years: Russia’s share of India’s arms imports dropped from 76% in 2009–2013 to 36% in 2019–2023, according to SIPRI. India is increasingly diversifying towards Western suppliers and ramping up domestic defence manufacturing.
Energy Imports and Tensions with the United States
Putin’s arrival comes at a delicate time for India’s diplomatic balancing act. U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on most Indian exports in August, accusing New Delhi of bankrolling the Russian war effort through its persistent purchases of discounted Russian crude.
India, now the world’s most populous nation, has greatly benefited from cheap Russian oil, saving billions of dollars since Europe cut off most of its imports from Moscow. For Russia, India emerged as a crucial market after Western sanctions devastated its traditional export routes.
But recent U.S. sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil have forced India to reduce its crude imports, causing unease in New Delhi. Officials fear that fresh defence or energy deals during Putin’s visit could escalate tensions with Washington and jeopardize ongoing tariff negotiations.
Still, Moscow remains unfazed by U.S. objections.
“What concerns us is how we maintain and grow our business with India without outside interference,” Peskov told Indian journalists on Tuesday.
Analysts say that while India may scale down oil imports under U.S. pressure, the strategic relationship between India and Russia is too deeply rooted to be altered significantly.
Nandan Unnikrishnan of the Observer Research Foundation noted: “There may be a reduction in energy purchases, but the overall direction of the partnership will remain steady. Both nations still need each other.”
Private Dinner and Summit Ahead
Modi is hosting Putin for a private dinner on Thursday night, with the formal summit scheduled for Friday. The agenda spans defence, energy security, trade, nuclear collaboration, and strategic technology transfer — all areas that have defined India–Russia ties for decades.
As global power blocs continue to shift, Putin’s visit marks a crucial moment for both nations to reassess and reinforce a partnership that remains one of the most enduring in modern geopolitics.
