Putin Touches Down In Delhi As India Russia Ties Enter A New Chapter
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening, stepping out of his aircraft with a measured smile as officials lined up to welcome him. The moment felt heavier than a routine diplomatic visit. It was his first trip to India since 2021. Three long years filled with geopolitical twists, changing alliances and rising tensions. Yet here he was back in Delhi for the twenty third India Russia annual summit. The mood at the airport carried a blend of nostalgia and anticipation, almost as if both sides knew the world was watching closely.
Warm Welcome After Three Years
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host Putin for a packed two day visit. On Friday morning, the Russian leader will be greeted with a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, followed by delegation level talks and a joint statement later in the afternoon. The schedule also includes a business forum and a formal meeting with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
One senior diplomat at the airport quietly remarked, as cameras clicked around him, that this visit was long overdue and very symbolic. Another official added, It is a relationship that has survived changing global winds. That says something about its durability.
What Is On The Agenda
Both sides have signaled that the summit will cover a wide range of issues. Sources familiar with the agenda say that trade, energy security, defense collaboration, space cooperation and nuclear projects are front and center. There is also an expectation of discussions on regional stability, particularly developments in Eurasia, Central Asia and the Indo Pacific region.
Officials hint that the tone of the talks will be practical and businesslike. There is no pressure to surprise the world with big diplomatic fireworks. Instead, the expectation is steady progress on long term commitments.
Energy And Trade Take Center Stage
Trade between India and Russia has skyrocketed over the past two years. In 2023, bilateral trade touched roughly sixty eight billion dollars, driven largely by discounted Russian oil that India has been buying in big volumes. Tankers carrying Russian crude have become a common sight in Indian ports, and refiners have benefited from the lower prices.
Energy experts say this trend is unlikely to fade anytime soon. Russia needs reliable buyers. India needs dependable supply. It is a natural fit for both sides for now.
A Delhi based analyst told me, This is not just about cheap oil. It is about long term energy security. India wants to keep its options wide and Russia offers stability in supply even when global markets get noisy.
Beyond oil, both nations are exploring collaborations in natural gas, nuclear energy and new renewable technologies. Officials believe that future trade may diversify as transport corridors improve.
Defense Cooperation Remains A Core Pillar
Despite India’s growing partnerships with Western nations, Russia remains a major defense supplier. From fighter jets to submarines, much of India’s legacy military equipment carries Russian engineering roots. While India has been diversifying, the familiarity and experience of Russian hardware still matter.
Sources say defense is expected to feature prominently during the talks. Several ongoing projects may be reviewed, including joint production initiatives. A retired Indian Air Force officer shared an interesting point. You do not walk away from a defense partner of five decades. You adapt, you diversify, but you maintain the core.
A Relationship Rooted In History
The India Russia friendship is not a new story. It stretches back to the Cold War when the Soviet Union stood firmly with India at several difficult turning points. Over time, leaders from both countries built personal rapport. Modi and Putin share more than twenty years of diplomatic interaction. Those who have watched them together often describe their meetings as warm, occasionally even informal, like two leaders who understand each other without speaking too much.
During a past summit, Putin had once said that India is a valued and trusted partner. Modi later responded publicly that the India Russia friendship has stood the test of time. It is rare for two leaders to speak this openly about their comfort with each other, especially in an era where diplomacy is often wrapped in rehearsed lines.
What Leaders Are Expecting
Officials say both leaders will aim for practical outcomes rather than dramatic announcements. Agreements may emerge in sectors like nuclear energy, space exploration, and trade routes linking the Far East region of Russia with Indian ports. There is also quiet discussion about improving payment systems as global sanctions complicate banking channels.
One foreign policy expert noted, The expectation is stability. Both countries want predictability and steady cooperation despite global uncertainties.
Why This Visit Matters Now
Putin’s presence in Delhi is being closely watched by world capitals. At a time when Russia faces growing pressure in the West and India is walking a delicate balance between Washington, Moscow and Beijing, this visit sends a clear message. India intends to maintain friendships based on its own interests, not external pressure.
Strategic analysts believe that this visit also reinforces India’s role as a diplomatic balancer. When the world is divided into blocs, India continues to talk to all sides.
What Comes Next
The next two days will reveal how both sides plan to shape their partnership for the coming decade. The summit may not appear flashy at first glance, but it is one of those moments where subtle decisions influence long term policy directions.
As one diplomatic official put it, India and Russia do not need to prove anything to each other. They just need to keep moving forward.
The outcomes from this visit are expected to be announced after delegation talks conclude on Friday afternoon. For now, Delhi waits as two old allies sit down to script the next phase of their strategic journey.
