Russian president Vladimir Putin has arrived in New Delhi for a two-day visit. He will meet and talks with Indian PM Narendra Modi. He will also attend the annual summit between India and Russia. The trip is expected to bring about a number of important agreements, notably in the fields of defence, energy and economic cooperation.

Its time of visit crucial. It occurs just as it was reported that United States increased pressure on India to reduce its purchases of Russian oil. In the meantime, Washington is holding talks with both Russia as well as Ukraine to try and bring the war towards a close. In this context the Putin-Modi talks highlight the importance of the long-standing alliance with India as well as Russia.

Why India Remains Crucial for Russia

India is among the most rapidly growing major economies in the world. Growing at an average rate of over the 8% mark and a total population of almost 1.5 billion. That makes India an desirable location to sell Russian exports, particularly energy.

India is currently the third largest consumers of crude oil. Before the Russian aggression in Ukraine, Russian oil made only a small percentage in India’s oil imports. But after Western sanctions hampered the access of Russia to European buyers. India sharply increased its purchases by taking advantage of reduced prices. At one time, Russian oil accounted for about 35 percent of India’s total imports of crude.

The increase in the oil trade resulted in a lot of angst in Washington. In October the Trump administration added a 25 percent tariff on Indian goods. Asserting that Indian purchases of oil directly funded Russia’s war-related efforts. Since since then, Indian orders for Russian crude have slowed. Which makes Putin eager to retain India as an energy supplier for the long term.

Defence is another important pillar of the relationship. Russia has been India’s largest weapons supplier ever from Soviet times. In the lead up to the visit there are reports that India could be considering buying Russian fighter jets as well as air defense systems. Russia is suffering from a labor shortage because of the war, sees India as a possible supply of workers skilled.

Alongside trade, the geopolitics plays an important part. By establishing strong relationships with countries such as India or China. Russia aims to prove the world that Western attempts to separate it have failed. Putin’s recent talks together with Chinese president Xi Jinping and now with Modi strengthen Moscow’s desire for the creation of a “multi-polar world,” where the power of nations is not controlled through the West.

But, the country’s increasing distance from Europe is a significant issue for many in the country. Analysts point out that although Russia is increasing its ties to Asia in addition to the Global South however. Its near total separation from Europe represents a radical and unimaginable change in its global position.

A Major Test for Modi’s Strategic Balance

The Prime Minister Modi Putin’s visit, it’s an extremely delicate diplomatic challenge. Indian relations with Russia goes back to the time of the Cold War and has remained robust despite the changing alliances between the two countries. Modi has argued in his speech that dialogue remains the best route towards peace in Ukraine and has resisted Western calls to explicitly condemn Russia.

This strategy is in line with India’s long-running practice in the area of “strategic autonomy,” which lets it maintain close ties with both the West as well as Russia. But that balance is currently under pressure. Since Trump’s return in his White House, India-US relations have been deteriorating because of unresolved trade disputes and tariff disputes.

However, European countries have also intensified their diplomatic pressure on India. Recently ambassadors from Germany, France, and the UK all criticized Russia’s stance regarding Ukraine in an unusual public appearance in the Indian media.

Modi is now faced with the task of reaffirming India’s relationship with Russia without compromising relationships with US as well as Europe. Modi’s goal is to demonstrate that India is able to make its own foreign policy while maintaining relations with the major global powers.

Trade, Defence, and the Push for Balance

While India along with Russia are strategically partners, many analysts have said that their economic relationship is not yet reaching its full potential. Trade between the two countries jumped between $8.1 billion in 2020 to close to $69 billion in March 2025. The increase is largely driven by India’s imports of oil from Russia and has led to a massive trade imbalance that favors Moscow.

With Indian companies cutting back to Russian oil purchases in order to be able to avoid US sanctions. Both sides are trying at expanding trade into sectors other than energy. Defense is still the most straightforward way. Although India has diminished it dependence Russian weapons in recent years to increase its domestic defense production, a lot of key military platforms still heavily rely upon Russian technology.

India’s latest limited war with Pakistan brought to light the significance of Russian systems. Such as that of the S-400 Air Defence System but also revealed weaknesses that require immediate attention. According to reports, India is keen on acquiring Russia’s updated S-500 system as well as Su-57, the Su-57 Fifth-generation stealth aircraft. This has increased interest since Pakistan began to buy the Chinese J-35 stealth aircraft.

However sanctions, as well as the Ukraine conflict have impacted Russia’s supply chains for defence manufacturing. Deliveries of around S-400 units are reportedly delayed until 2026. Modi expects to request the assurance of delivery in talks with Putin.

Beyond energy and defence, India is also pushing to increase exports of its consumer products into Russia. Presently, Indian products such as seafood, smartphones as well as meat and clothing are only present in Russian retail stores. Modi hopes to alter that and decrease the dependence of India on trade based on oil.

More Than a Symbolic Visit

Putin’s trip to India isn’t just an everyday diplomatic encounter. It’s a test for changing global alignments, strategies to survive and India’s capacity to manage its relations with other power blocs.

A modest outcome could ensure the continuation of cooperation in the fields of defence and oil. A bigger, more ambitious agreement could alter regional supply chains and trade flows. For both leaders there are high stakes when they try to protect the national interest while traversing some of the more difficult geopolitical eras in recent history.