Putin to Visit India for High-Level Summit as New Delhi and Moscow Seek to Strengthen Strategic Ties
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India this week for a summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reinforce cooperation in energy, defence, and economic sectors amid tightening Western sanctions on Moscow. With Russia’s oil revenues increasingly strained post-Ukraine conflict, the Kremlin is eager for India—its largest seaborne oil buyer—to maintain robust crude purchases. India’s crude imports from Russia, however, are set to hit a three-year low as U.S. sanctions intensify against key producers Rosneft and Lukoil, prompting some refiners to scale back. Discussions are also expected on upstream assets, where Indian companies hold significant stakes in Russian oil and gas projects, though millions in dividends remain trapped due to sanctions-related financial restrictions.
Beyond energy, the leaders will review long-standing nuclear and defence ties. Russia continues to build six reactors at the Kudankulam nuclear plant and supply fuel, while both nations explore new reactor sites and small modular reactor options. Defence cooperation is set to feature prominently, with India operating a large fleet of Russian-made Sukhoi-30 jets and considering Moscow’s offer of the advanced Su-57 fighter. Talks may also include the procurement of additional S-400 air defence systems, with two more units pending delivery under an existing agreement.
Economic engagement will also be central to the summit, with both nations targeting $100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. The focus includes advancing the India–Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement, expanding rupee-rouble settlement mechanisms, and diversifying cooperation into new industrial sectors such as fertilisers, railways, and mining technologies. Connectivity projects like the International North–South Transport Corridor and the proposed Chennai–Vladivostok sea route are expected to further streamline trade flows between India, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe.
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