Putin Visits India to Strengthen Defence and Trade Ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on December 4, 2023, for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening defence and trade relations between Russia and India. The visit comes at a time when New Delhi is facing significant pressure from the United States regarding its continued import of Russian oil. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Putin at the airport, greeting him warmly with a hug and accompanying him in the same vehicle.

This marks Putin’s first visit to India since the onset of the Ukraine conflict. He is accompanied by Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, with discussions expected to focus on potential agreements concerning fighter jets and air defence systems. In an interview with India Today, Putin expressed his happiness to meet “my friend” Modi, emphasizing the extensive range of cooperation between the two nations, which includes sectors like ship and aircraft manufacturing, nuclear energy, and space exploration.

Defence and Trade Discussions

On the agenda for the summit is the expansion of Russia’s advanced S-400 air defence systems. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov highlighted this as an important topic, while Indian media reports suggest that Moscow may also propose co-production of the Su-57 fighter jets. India has long been one of the world’s largest arms importers, with Russia traditionally being a key supplier. However, the proportion of arms imported from Russia has declined significantly, falling from 76 percent in 2009-2013 to 36 percent from 2019 to 2023, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

The backdrop of these discussions includes India’s strategic balancing act. As it continues to rely on Russian oil, the country simultaneously navigates diplomatic relations with the United States. In August, President Donald Trump imposed tariffs of 50 percent on a range of Indian products, citing India’s ongoing purchases of Russian oil, which Washington argues finances the war in Ukraine. Despite this, India has emerged as a significant buyer of Russian oil, saving billions and providing Moscow with a crucial market after losing access to European buyers.

Strategic Importance and Future Prospects

India has begun to scale back its crude oil imports under pressure from US sanctions targeting major Russian oil producers like Rosneft and Lukoil. The Indian government is wary that any new energy or defence agreements with Russia could provoke further tensions with the US, potentially complicating ongoing trade negotiations. Peskov remarked that Russia remains focused on enhancing bilateral business with India, unimpeded by external pressures.

Political analysts believe that the visit is pivotal for both nations. Nandan Unnikrishnan, from the New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation, noted that while some reduction in energy purchases may occur due to US pressure, the overall trajectory of India-Russia ties is likely to remain stable due to mutual strategic interests.

An anonymous senior official from India’s foreign ministry emphasized the necessity of addressing the trade imbalance, which saw bilateral trade reach US$68.7 billion in the fiscal year 2024-2025—almost six times pre-pandemic levels. However, Indian exports to Russia were minimal, accounting for only US$4.88 billion. Consequently, India has been urging Moscow for greater market access for key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and services.

According to Harsh V Pant, a professor of international relations at King’s College London, the visit serves as an opportunity to “reset their relationship at a critical geopolitical moment.” He emphasized that for India, the optics of the meeting signal a commitment to strategic autonomy, while Putin’s visit underscores the importance of the relationship from the Russian perspective.

As leaders of two influential nations engage in dialogue, the outcome of these discussions could significantly impact not only their bilateral relationship but also the broader geopolitical landscape. The Indian foreign ministry official described the ties between Moscow and New Delhi as the “most stable relationship in modern times,” indicating a long history of cooperation that both sides are keen to maintain amid global tensions.