New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit New Delhi later this year, marking his first trip to India since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The visit comes at a sensitive geopolitical moment, with US President Donald Trump recently slapping a steep 50% tariff on Indian goods over New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
Putin has largely limited overseas travel since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him in 2023 for alleged “war crimes” in Ukraine. However, the warrant has no bearing on India, which is not a signatory to the Rome Statute.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly called for peace and dialogue to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The two leaders last met twice in 2024 — first in Moscow for the 22nd Annual Summit in July and later during the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan. Putin’s last visit to India was in December 2021 for the 21st India–Russia Annual Summit.
Putin’s India visit is expected to send strong signals as New Delhi faces mounting US pressure over its Russian oil imports. Trump has accused India of “fueling Russia’s war machine” in Ukraine — a charge India rejects, framing its imports as essential for national interest and energy security.
India’s relationship with Moscow remains “steady and time-tested,” even as strategic ties with Washington have deepened through initiatives like the Quad. Historical memory plays a role — in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the Soviet Union stood by India when the US dispatched a warship to the Indian Ocean in support of Pakistan.
Bilateral ties took a major leap in October 2000 with the signing of the “Declaration on the India-Russia Strategic Partnership” during Putin’s visit. The two nations have since strengthened cooperation in defence, security, trade, science and technology, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.
The Annual Summit between the Indian PM and Russian President remains the highest-level institutional dialogue, with 21 summits held so far. They also coordinate closely in multilateral platforms such as the UN, G20, BRICS, and SCO.
Trade targets have already surpassed expectations — crossing the $30 billion goal for 2025 — with both leaders now aiming for $50 billion in bilateral investment.
India and Russia’s defence cooperation is among the strongest in the world. Major acquisitions and joint projects include the S-400 missile system, T-90 tanks, Su-30 MKI and MiG-29 fighter jets, Kamov helicopters, INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier, AK-203 rifles, and the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
The BrahMos — a flagship Indo-Russian joint venture — recently gained global attention when it was used during Operation Sindoor to destroy terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK. It was also deployed to neutralise drones and missiles during the four-day conflict that followed.
Putin’s upcoming visit is being closely watched in global capitals — not just for its symbolism, but for what it could signal about India’s balancing act between two of its most crucial strategic partners: Russia and the United States.
