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New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day state visit to India, on December 4 and 5, for the 23 rd annual India Russia summit, will be a closely observed event not just in New Delhi and Moscow, but in several capitals worldwide, particularly Washington, Beijing, Kyiv, Riyadh and even Islamabad. While the visit will certainly provide an opportunity for President Putin to review the progress of the India – Russia relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and chart the course to navigate and bolster the bilateral ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,’ the outcomes will be closely monitored in major western and eastern capital cities. Of particular interest will be the outcomes on defence collaboration and energy cooperation, especially whether India will continue to primarily rely on Russia for the bulk of its defence and crude petroleum supplies. According to industry reports in November, indications are that Indian petroleum refiners have been turning to non-sanctioned Russian petroleum companies to source their crude supplies. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated in recent months, since the appointment of his aide Sergio Gor as US envoy to India, that he has been assured that India will wind down its purchase of Russian crude by the year end. President Trump, apparently frustrated by India\“s continued Russian oil imports and its participation as a founder member of BRICS, lashed out at India and imposed a 50% tariff on Indian exports to the USA effective from 27 August 2025, hitting Indian manufacturing and exports hard. Trump has now said that India and the US are “close” to finalising a “very good” trade deal, dependent on India’s non-purchase of Russian crude. India has a very narrow path to negotiate while ensuring its national interests and staring down at prohibitive tariffs. This ‘zero sum’ and transactional US attitude has forced a rethink in trade policies globally, and is even hurting the domestic US market. Also, Trump is desperate to appear like a statesman and end the Russia – Ukraine conflict in time to earn a Nobel Peace prize nomination by the end of January 2026. Ukraine is under a lot of pressure to agree to his terms because his leverage over Russia is limited given how effectively Putin has kept the war effort funded through heavily discounted petroleum sales to countries like India and China. Defence hardware procurement, specifically the S-400 ‘Triumf’ air defence systems and a range of missiles to replenish its stocks depleted during ‘Operation Sindoor,’is likely to be another key focus area of discussions between Putin and Modi. Speaking at a public forum recently, India’s Defence Secretary RK Singh specified that while the focus of the upcoming Russia-India Summit will be “broader elements of cooperation on defence“, including the strategic S-400 air defence systems, actual orders will take more time to finalise. By all accounts, the S-400 air defence systems were extremely effective in targeting Pakistani fighter planes during Op Sindoor in May. Russia’s war with Ukraine is also likely to be discussed, with Putin outlining his terms for ending the hostilities. At an earlier summit, PM Modi had cautioned President Putin that “this is not an era of war,” and he will try to urge an early cessation of hostilities with Ukraine even as they try to infuse a momentum into their bilateral relations, particularly the trade partnership. After Putin’s visit was announced, the Kremlin, in its official statement, said, “This visit is of great importance, as it provides an opportunity to discuss the entire extensive scope of Russia-India special and privileged strategic partnership in politics, trade and economy, science and technology, as well as cultural and humanitarian affairs, in addition to addressing current international and regional issues.” A comprehensive joint statement is likely to be adopted after the summit level talks and a wide range of bilateral interdepartmental and business agreements are scheduled to be signed. Officials have been working on the details of the outcome documents and joint statement since External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar visited Russia in August to co-chair the 26th Session of the India-Russia Inter- Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation （IRIGC-TEC）. With his counterpart Sergey Lavrov, EAM Jaishankar comprehensibly reviewed of the entire gamut of India–Russia bilateral relations, including sectors like trade and economic cooperation, various connectivity initiatives, political, defence and military-technical cooperation and fast-tracking the opening of new Indian Consulates in Kazan and Yekaterinburg. On global and multilateral cooperation, both reaffirmed their shared commitment to reform of global governance, and collaboration in G20, BRICS and the SCO. Regional developments such as those in Ukraine, Middle East, West Asia and Afghanistan were discussed. Jaishankar reiterated India’s approach to emphasize dialogue and diplomacy as essential to resolving differences. He also raised the issue of Indians serving in the Russian Army and hoped for an expeditious resolution of the pending cases. India’s multi-dimensional and very wide-ranging relationship with Russia has been one of the critical pillars of its foreign policy, one it will try to ensure remains vibrant and mutually beneficial and supportive during President Putin’s visit, despite pressures from various quarters. Jaishankar briefly captured the essence of the India – Russia relationship when he said, “Russia has never hurt our interests…. our relationship with Moscow today is based on this experience. INDIA NEWS STREAM |
