Putin's visit to India focuses on defense and trade discussions

President Vladimir Putin is commencing a two-day visit to India on Thursday, aiming to bolster defence cooperation while New Delhi navigates mounting US pressure to reduce Russian oil imports. This marks Putins first trip to India since the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict.

Accompanied by a delegation including Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Putin is expected to discuss a potential fighter jet agreement. On Thursday, he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a private dinner, followed by a summit and business discussions the following day.

Trade and defence are central to the talks, as India balances its reliance on strategic Russian supplies with concerns over upsetting the United States amid ongoing tariff negotiations. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov highlighted the importance of Russia's advanced S-400 air defence systems on the agenda. India currently operates three S-400 units, with two additional units pending delivery under a 2018 agreement delayed by the Ukraine war and Western sanctions. Reports suggest Russia may also propose co-production of Su-57 fighter jets.

India, one of the largest global arms importers, has historically depended on Russia. However, domestic production has grown in recent years. The Russian share of Indias arms imports declined from 76% in 2009-2013 to 36% in 2019-2023, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Putins visit follows US-imposed tariffs of 50% on most Indian products, retaliating against New Delhis Russian oil purchases, which Washington argues support Russias military efforts in Ukraine. India, benefiting from discounted Russian crude, has been a key customer amid Moscows exclusion from European markets. Nonetheless, India has recently reduced imports under pressure from sanctions affecting Russian energy companies Rosneft and Lukoil.

Peskov emphasized that Russia is not worried about US tariffs, stating that the focus is on maintaining and expanding bilateral trade without outside interference. Nandan Unnikrishnan from the Observer Research Foundation noted that, despite potential reductions in energy imports, strategic ties between the countries will remain strong.

Even with lower Russian energy purchases, Moscow continues to supply crucial spare parts for Indias existing military equipment. A senior Indian foreign ministry official, speaking anonymously, highlighted the need to address trade imbalances, with bilateral trade reaching $68.7 billion in 2024-25, while Indian exports comprised only $4.88 billion. India is seeking broader market access for sectors including pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and services.

Analysts view Putins visit, his first since December 2021, as a platform to discuss both global developments and the situation in Ukraine. Harsh V Pant of Kings College London described the trip as a strategic reset, signaling Indias intent for autonomy and emphasizing the importance Russia places on the bilateral relationship. Indian officials described the Moscow-Delhi partnership as the most stable relationship in modern times and framed the visit within a bilateral rather than a global context.

Author: Benjamin Carter