Defense, energy and trade on the agenda – DW – 12/04/2025

As Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to begin a two-day visit to India, defense and trade relations will be the major talking points between the two countries.

What is Putin’s schedule during his visit?

• Private dinner with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening

• According to the news channel, go to Rajghat, the mausoleum of Mahatma Gandhi, on Friday morning. ndtv

• Will participate in the 23rd India-Russia summit with Modi on Friday

What are the topics on the agenda?

• Energy: India is one of the largest buyers of Russian oil. However, it has been a sore point for US President Donald Trump. India says it won’t turn off Russian energy completely, prioritizing energy security for 1.45 billion people
• Defence: India currently has three Russian S-400 air defense system units, with delivery of two more pending under a 2018 deal
• Local media reports say Moscow may also offer co-production of Russia’s Su-57 fighter jets
• Trade: Bilateral trade between the two countries is set to reach $68.7 billion in 2024-25, but Indian exports stand at only $4.88 billion, creating a huge imbalance.
• India seeks better Russian market access for pharmaceuticals, automobiles, agriculture, textiles and services sectors
• New Delhi also wants long-term supply of fertilizers from Moscow
• Migration: Modi government also wants regulated migration of Indian skilled workers to Russia
• Ukraine: On Ukraine war, Modi keeps calling for peaceful solution but does not condemn Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India underlines the partnership between Moscow and New Delhi that has endured amid nearly eight decades of geopolitical turmoil.

Ahead of the visit, Kremlin spokesman and Putin’s chief of staff Dmitry Peskov underlined the importance of protecting India-Russia bilateral relations and trade.

His comments come as India faces US tariffs on buying Russian oil and Russia faces ever-increasing Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine. read more

Russian President Vladimir Putin will begin his two-day state visit to India on Thursday as he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi aim to deepen economic, defense and energy ties.

Putin’s visit to India comes at a time when Western sanctions are forcing Moscow to turn to its decades-old ally, reflecting Russia’s priority in relations with New Delhi.

Russia remains an important supplier of Indian military hardware and media reports suggest that major new defense deals are on the way.

Strategic energy cooperation is also expected to be discussed in the meeting of the two leaders as India remains one of the largest buyers of Russian oil despite US pressure.

It will also allow Modi to offer behind-the-scenes diplomacy. Shriram Sundar Chaulia, an international affairs expert at the Jindal School of International Affairs near New Delhi, told the AP news agency that Modi may try to provoke Putin into accommodating some Ukrainian and European concerns in order to end hostilities.

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Welcome to our coverage of Russian President Vladimir Putin in India.

The two-day state visit starting Thursday is Putin’s first since the Ukraine war began in 2022.

The visit aims to reestablish and strengthen ties at a crucial geopolitical moment for both countries, as New Delhi tries to balance relations with Moscow and Washington.

The planned talks will focus on relations between the two countries, including in the areas of trade and energy. Putin is trying to deepen defense ties, while New Delhi faces growing US pressure to stop buying Russian oil.