Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his high-profile visit to New Delhi, warmly referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his "friend" and a "person of integrity," stating the Indian leader has been a positive force for the nation. The visit, marked by rare personal gestures, aimed at reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two long-standing allies.
Strengthening Economic and Energy Ties
Addressing a key point of global scrutiny, President Putin acknowledged a minor decrease in India's purchase of Russian crude oil but asserted that overall bilateral trade remains stable. He emphasized that the Russian oil sector views its Indian partners as highly dependable. In a pointed remark, Putin highlighted that the United States continues to buy nuclear fuel from Russia for its power plants and questioned why India should be denied a similar privilege regarding energy imports.
The economic agenda is a central pillar of this summit. President Putin arrived with a substantial delegation of business leaders, and the two nations are poised to sign ten government-to-government agreements spanning healthcare, trade, mobility, and cultural exchange. India is particularly focused on addressing the trade deficit with Russia, which has widened significantly due to increased oil imports following the Ukraine conflict.
Deepening Defence and Nuclear Cooperation
Putin underscored the robust defence collaboration, noting that Russia not only supplies equipment but also shares crucial technology with India. He cited the successful joint venture of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile as a prime example of this synergy. On the critical issue of nuclear energy, Putin confirmed it would be part of the formal discussions with PM Modi.
He pointed to the ongoing Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant project in Tamil Nadu as a testament to their cooperation and expressed Russia's readiness to assist India in developing small modular nuclear power plants, an area where New Delhi has shown keen interest.
A Friendship Marked by Personal Gestures
The personal rapport between the two leaders was on full display. In an uncommon move, PM Modi personally welcomed Putin at the airport on Thursday—a courtesy he typically reserves for leaders he shares a strong personal bond with, such as former US Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and the late Japanese PM Shinzo Abe.
The two leaders then travelled to the Prime Minister's residence in a Japanese SUV, deviating from Modi's usual choice of vehicle, for their initial talks. This informal engagement followed a similar 45-minute conversation they had in Putin's car during the SCO summit in Tianjin earlier this year.
"Delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin to India. Looking forward to our interactions... India-Russia friendship is a time-tested one that has greatly benefitted our people," Modi posted on social media platform X.
Navigating Global Diplomacy
The summit occurs as India carefully balances its historic ties with Moscow against its growing strategic partnership with the United States and the European Union. PM Modi is expected to reiterate India's consistent call for dialogue and an early end to the conflict in Ukraine. The outcomes of this meeting will be closely watched in Brussels, especially as India works towards signing a Free Trade Agreement with the EU next month and has invited EU leaders for Republic Day celebrations.
Government sources indicate that Putin's visit is anticipated to significantly boost economic cooperation. The discussions, spanning regional and global issues, are set to further cement the "special and privileged strategic partnership" between India and Russia, proving its resilience amidst a rapidly shifting global order.
