Russian President Vladimir Putin received a red-carpet welcome in New Delhi on Friday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks to cement the “particularly privileged strategic partnership” despite mounting Western pressure over India’s continued purchase of discounted Russian crude following Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
After paying floral tributes at Rajghat and receiving a tri-services guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, Putin arrived at Hyderabad House for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit — the first in four years after disruptions caused by the Ukraine war and an ICC arrest warrant against the Russian leader.
The closed-door talks between Modi and Putin, joined by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and a high-powered Russian delegation including Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, are expected to focus on expediting delivery of the remaining two S-400 missile regiments, possible additional purchases or upgrades, Su-30MKI fleet modernisation, and Moscow’s renewed pitch for the fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter.
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With bilateral trade already crossing $65 billion — heavily tilted toward Russian oil — both sides aim to formalise a roadmap to reach the $100 billion target by 2030 while signing multiple agreements in shipping, fertilisers, healthcare, Arctic cooperation, and skilled-labour mobility. A joint statement and business interaction with top CEOs from Rosneft, Gazprom Neft, and Rosoboronexport will follow the summit.
As President Murmu hosts a state banquet tonight before Putin’s departure, the visit underscores India’s delicate diplomatic balancing act: deepening defence and energy ties with Moscow while facing fresh tariff threats from Washington over Russian oil imports that have emerged as a lifeline for India’s economy and a critical revenue source for Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.
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