India-Russia Summit: Delhi Hosts Putin for Pivotal Defence, Energy, and Trade Deals

The itinerary for President Putin includes an informal meeting and dinner with Prime Minister Modi on the first day, followed by a formal meeting and the signing of major agreements on the second day. A substantial number of agreements are anticipated, comprising 10 government-level pacts and over 15 business deals, totalling approximately 25 major understandings.

President Putin's delegation includes seven top Russian ministers, notably Defence Minister Belousov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, and Central Bank of Russia Governor Elvira Nabiullina, alongside prominent business leaders such as Igor Sechin, head of Rosneft.

The summit provides India and Russia with a critical platform to align their positions on global issues and reinforce a partnership that has demonstrated resilience despite sanctions, tariffs, and geopolitical turbulence. However, India remains mindful of potential reactions from Washington, D.C., given past US responses to India's engagement with Russia, particularly regarding discounted crude oil purchases.