Putins India Visit: Decoding the Stakes in Defence, Energy, and Trade Amid Global Pressures

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, marking his first visit to India since 2021. The summit aims to reinforce the decades-old strategic partnership between New Delhi and Moscow, navigating global pressure, US sanctions, and shifting economic realities. With an ambitious agenda, the leaders seek to deepen cooperation across defence, energy, and trade sectors.

Key discussions are set to include significant defence procurements, such as additional S-400 air defence systems and potential advanced fighter jets like the Su-57, alongside Indias push for technology transfer and joint production.

Energy partnerships remain crucial, with talks focusing on securing long-term oil supplies despite recent sanctions complicating shipping and insurance. Both nations are also striving to boost bilateral trade, targeting a $100 billion mark, and are exploring alternative payment systems like connecting RuPay and MIR to bypass SWIFT.

The visit highlights Indias delicate balancing act between its historical ties with Russia and global geopolitical pressures, particularly from the United States regarding Russian crude purchases and defence deals. Approximately 25 agreements, covering government and business sectors, are anticipated to be signed, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the evolving partnership.