Putin in India today: Why Russian Presidents 28-hour visit assumes significance and whats on table
The Russian President is expected to reach New Delhi at around 4.30 pm. PM Modi will host him for dinner in reciprocation of a similar gesture extended to him last year when he visited Moscow.
New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to arrive in India on Thursday for a two-day visit to the country. This is Putin's first visit to India in four years and his first since the Ukraine conflict began. Shortly after he arrives in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a dinner for him.
The Russian President is expected to reach New Delhi at around 4.30 pm. PM Modi will host him for dinner in reciprocation of a similar gesture extended to him last year when he visited Moscow.
Why Putin's visit holds importance
The Russian President's visit assumes significance as it comes at a time when India's ties with the US are witnessing a sharp downturn and New Delhi is facing intense pressure from Washington for its trade ties with Moscow. While Russia is looking to reaffirm "strategic partnership" with one of its most stable long-term partners, New Delhi is hoping to shore up bilateral and economic arrangements with Moscow. India is also expected to press for addressing the increasing trade deficit caused by India's procurement of large volumes of Russian crude oil.
The 23rd India-Russia summit to be held between PM Modi and Putin on Friday will focus on strengthening defence ties, insulating bilateral trade from external pressure, besides exploring cooperation in small modular reactors. The talks between the two leaders are expected to closely watched by Western capitals. Arrangements cutting across defence, energy, logistics, health care, payments and business ties are expected to be on key agenda.
A plethora of agreements, including one on facilitating the movement of Indian workers to Russia, and another on logistical support under a broader framework of defence cooperation, are also on the agenda. Measures to boost bilateral energy ties are also expected to figure prominently in the summit.
Putin's visit against backdrop of India-US strained ties
The Russian President's India visit comes at a time when ties between India and the US are witnessing possibly their worst phase in the last two decades. The relations between the two countries nosedived after Washington imposed a whopping 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, including 25 per cent levies for New Delhi's purchase of Russian crude oil.
PM Modi and Putin are expected to discuss the impact of the American sanctions during the summit. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday said New Delhi's purchase of crude oil from Russia may decline for "a brief period" in view of Western sanctions, but, at the same time, he said Moscow is taking steps to enhance the supplies.
The two leaders also expected to discuss the Ukraine conflict. India has been urging Russia and Ukraine to end the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.