Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun a two-day visit to India for high-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as both countries navigate shifting geopolitical pressures and seek to strengthen long-standing strategic ties. The leaders are expected to sign multiple agreements during the annual bilateral summit in Delhi, with oil, defence and trade forming the core of the agenda.
The visit comes months after the United States intensified pressure on India to reduce its reliance on discounted Russian oil — a key reason bilateral trade surged to $68.7bn by March 2025. Washington’s response included the Trump administration’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on Indian goods, arguing that purchases of Russian crude indirectly support Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine.
Russia’s Interests: Markets, Weapons and Global Positioning
For the Kremlin, India represents a vast and rapidly growing market with a population approaching 1.5 billion and economic growth exceeding 8%. India has become one of
