Russia’s President Vladimir Putin starts a two-day visit to India on Thursday, attempting to deepen long-standing defense ties despite mounting United States pressure on New Delhi to halt Russian oil purchases. Marking his first India trip since the Ukraine war began, the Russian leader brings a powerful delegation including Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, consequently fueling reports about a potential new fighter jet deal.
Putin will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday for a private dinner, followed by summit discussions and a business gathering the next day.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the supply of Russia’s advanced S-400 air defense systems holds an “important place on the agenda,” as India awaits delivery of two pending units under a 2018 deal stalled by Western sanctions.
Historically, Russia stood as India’s main arms supplier, but its share of India’s arms imports dropped from 76% to 36% between 2009 and 2023, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
However, media reports in India suggest Moscow may also offer co-production of Russia’s advanced Su-57 fighter jets.
Navigating US Sanctions and Tariffs
The trade agenda remains paramount as Delhi navigates a delicate tightrope, relying on strategic Russian imports while trying to avoid angering Washington officials.
Furthermore, Putin’s visit follows President Donald Trump’s August action, where he slapped 50% tariffs on most Indian products, punishing Delhi for its massive purchases of Russian oil. Although India saves billions by buying Russian crude, it has recently cut down on imports due to sanctions pressure on producers like Rosneft and Lukoil.
The Indian government fears new energy or defense deals with Russia could seriously “irk Trump,” potentially jeopardizing ongoing trade negotiations with Washington officials.
Spokesman Peskov dismissed concerns about US interference, declaring, “What concerns us is how we are going to maintain and increase the volume of our bilateral business with India without allowing anyone to interfere.”
A senior Indian foreign ministry official, speaking anonymously, also stated there was a pressing need to address the severe trade imbalance “one way or the other.”
A Strategic Geopolitical Reset
Bilateral trade hit a massive $68.7 billion in 2024-25, yet Indian exports accounted for only $4.88 billion, prompting Delhi to press Moscow for expanded market access.
Ultimately, Nandan Unnikrishnan of the Observer Research Foundation believes, “the overall direction of the ties will be maintained because both countries need each other at the strategic level.” Harsh V Pant, a professor at King’s College London, called the visit an “attempt by the two sides to reset their relationship at a critical geopolitical moment for both.”
The Indian foreign ministry official described the ties between Moscow and Delhi as the “most stable relationship in modern times,” insisting that observers should see the meeting “in its bilateral context.”
