New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin begins a two-day state visit to India on Thursday, with defence, trade and energy cooperation high on the agenda amid fresh US sanctions pressure on New Delhi.
Putin will arrive in New Delhi on Thursday evening and will be hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a private dinner shortly after his arrival, ahead of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit on Friday. The summit will focus on bolstering defence ties, protecting expanding trade and energy linkages from the impact of US punitive measures, and outlining a roadmap to deepen the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership”.
Moscow has cleared a key defence agreement with India ahead of the visit, signalling renewed momentum in bilateral military cooperation despite Western pressure following the Ukraine war. Discussions are expected to cover potential supplies of advanced platforms such as Russia’s Su-57 fighter jets and next-generation air defence systems, alongside maintenance and technology cooperation.
The talks will also seek to expand trade and energy partnerships, including continued purchases of Russian oil and collaboration in sectors such as nuclear energy and hydrocarbons. Both sides are preparing to sign a migration and mobility agreement to facilitate the movement of Indian workers to Russia, aligning with Moscow’s push to address skilled manpower shortages.
On Friday, Putin will receive a ceremonial welcome before formal talks and will later attend a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. He is also scheduled to launch a new India-focused channel of Russia’s state broadcaster RT, underscoring an effort to expand media outreach and soft-power engagement in the Indian market.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit offers an opportunity for the leadership of both countries to review progress in bilateral ties, set a future vision for the strategic partnership and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual concern. This will be Putin’s first trip to India since the Ukraine invasion, and it will be closely watched in world capitals for signals on India’s balancing between Russia and Western partners.
(Inputs from IANS)