Putin Arrives in India as Modi Focuses on Trade, Defence Deals

Russian President Putin arrived in New Delhi on December 4, marking his first official visit to India in four years. Prime Minister Modi received him for a private dinner before formal talks scheduled for December 5. Both sides described the visit as a step toward reinforcing the long-standing strategic partnership.

The agenda includes expanding bilateral trade, advancing defence cooperation, and finalising pending government-level agreements. Officials from both sides said discussions would cover energy supplies, joint defence manufacturing, logistics support, and strategic connectivity projects.

Up to 10 governmental agreements and around 15 commercial deals are expected during the visit. Ahead of the visit, Russia’s lower house of Parliament ratified the RELOS pact. The agreement will allow mutual access to bases and logistical facilities for defence forces, reducing operational hurdles for joint exercises and future deployments.

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Energy remains central to the relationship. India continues purchasing Russian crude oil at discounted rates despite Western sanctions. Russian banking and energy officials travelling with the delegation are expected to discuss expanding payment systems and long-term supply contracts. Russian state lender Sberbank has signalled interest in boosting trade settlement channels and labour mobility between the two countries.

The visit comes at a moment of shifting geopolitics and pressure on India from Western governments to limit defence cooperation and oil purchases from Moscow. However, New Delhi continues to assert that its foreign policy remains guided by strategic autonomy and national interest.

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Officials say the outcome of this visit will influence defence procurement timelines, energy security planning, and long-term collaboration in nuclear technology, space, and digital systems. Analysts expect the summit to clarify whether the partnership adapts to emerging geopolitical realities while retaining its historical depth.