NEW DELHI– Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi Thursday for a high-stakes summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aiming to shield a decades-old strategic partnership from Western sanctions and secure new defense and energy deals.

The two-day visit, Putin's first to India since the start of Russia's war in Ukraine, underscores India's delicate balancing act. New Delhi is deepening ties with Washington and its allies while preserving a historic relationship with Moscow that is critical for its military hardware and energy security. The summit's agenda is dominated by efforts to create payment mechanisms and trade corridors insulated from external pressure.

Key Facts

1. Timing & Significance: This is Putin's first visit to India in four years and his first since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It marks the 25th anniversary of the India-Russia Strategic Partnership.
2. Core Agenda: Talks will focus on defense cooperation, securing energy trade amid U.S. sanctions, and finding ways to settle transactions in national currencies to bypass Western financial systems.
3. Major Defense Deals: Discussions will cover the delayed delivery of S-400 air defense systems, possible acquisition of additional units, and Russia's offer of its Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter jets. A key logistics pact (RELOS) facilitating mutual use of military bases was ratified just before the visit.
4. Energy Trade Under Threat: Bilateral trade ballooned to nearly $69 billion, driven by Indian imports of discounted Russian crude. This trade is now at risk following recent U.S. sanctions on Russian oil giants and punitive tariffs on Indian goods.
5. The U.S. Shadow: The summit occurs amid tense India-U.S. relations, with Washington imposing 50% tariffs on some Indian imports, partly in retaliation for New Delhi's continued Russian oil purchases.

Verified

A senior analyst noted the visit's optics for the Kremlin: "President Putin can send a very strong message to his own people, and also to the international community, that Russia is not isolated in the world". Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that discussions would include the Su-57 fighter jet, which he called "the best plane in the world".

What We Know So Far

Schedule: Putin arrived the evening of December 4. A private dinner with PM Modi was held hours after arrival. Official engagements on December 5 include a ceremonial welcome, a visit to Rajghat, the annual summit at Hyderabad House, and a state banquet.

Broader Goals: Both nations aim to increase bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030 and will discuss cooperation in nuclear energy (including small modular reactors), pharmaceuticals, and a migration pact for Indian skilled workers to Russia.

Geopolitical Context: India has avoided condemning Russia's war in Ukraine, advocating instead for dialogue and diplomacy. Putin is expected to brief Modi on the latest U.S. peace initiatives regarding Ukraine.