Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet on December 5 in New Delhi to strengthen trade, energy, and defence partnerships. The summit is expected to emphasise India’s strategic autonomy amid US pressure to reduce imports of Russian oil and military equipment. Putin will be making his first visit to India since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Russia plans to protect its developing trade connections with India from sanctions, notably those imposed by the US. To avoid external disruptions, both countries have already switched to national currencies for the majority of their payments. Despite potential short-term decreases, Moscow remains confident in its ability to maintain stable oil supply. Russia is currently India’s biggest crude supplier.
Rosatom’s chief will offer small modular reactors to help India’s nuclear ambitions. Defence collaboration will be a primary focus, with talks about the Su-57 combat jet and additional S-400 units. Russian weapons still account for more than one-third of India’s defence inventory.
India and Russia are also advancing talks on a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union and finalising a mobility pact for Indian workers. Bilateral trade has increased from $13 billion in 2021 to $68 billion in 2024, with India aiming for higher exports.
