New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India on December 5–6 for a high-level summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sources told NDTV.
The visit comes at a time of increasing strain between India and the United States, after Washington imposed punitive tariffs on Indian goods over New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil.
Visit Timing and US Tariffs
The visit was first discussed during National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval’s trip to Moscow in August, though dates were not confirmed then.
Later, President Putin and PM Modi held a private hour-long meeting inside Putin’s limousine during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China.
According to sources, the timing of Putin’s visit gains importance after US President Donald Trump slapped 25% tariffs on Indian goods, arguing that New Delhi’s Russian oil imports undermine Western efforts to cut Moscow’s revenues during the Ukraine conflict. India has defended its purchases, stating it was forced to source Russian crude after traditional suppliers diverted exports to Europe.
Deepening India-Russia Ties
Despite Western sanctions, Russia has managed to redirect energy exports to countries such as India and China, keeping its revenues flowing.
India, for its part, has emerged as one of the largest importers of Russian oil since the war began nearly four years ago.
The relationship between New Delhi and Moscow extends beyond energy. Russia remains one of India’s top defense suppliers, and bilateral trade has reached unprecedented levels in recent years, reinforcing long-standing ties rooted in the Soviet era.
Strategic Significance of the Visit
Observers say Putin’s visit could mark a critical moment in India’s geopolitical balancing act.
With Washington tightening trade pressure, the Moscow-New Delhi summit may highlight the resilience of Indo-Russian ties even as India attempts to maintain its complex relationship with the United States.
Putin’s Limited Foreign Travel
Since the Ukraine conflict began, President Putin has curtailed his international engagements, partly due to an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against him.
India, not being a signatory to the ICC, is not legally bound to detain the Russian leader, making the upcoming summit feasible.