Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to New Delhi marked a significant reaffirmation of India-Russia ties, emphasizing economic collaboration amid geopolitical tensions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was warmly welcomed in New Delhi during his two-day visit, his first since the invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted him personally at the airport, followed by a limousine ride, hugs, and a ceremonial welcome throughout the capital. An evening prayer event along the Ganges featured devotional lamps that spelled out “Welcome Putin,” a gesture that quickly gained traction on social media.
This visit not only reaffirmed India’s long-standing relationship with Russia but also served as a strategic message to Washington. The Trump administration has recently imposed steep tariffs and publicly criticized India for continuing to purchase discounted Russian oil.
Chietigj Bajpaee of Chatham House noted that India’s red-carpet treatment of Putin underscores a significant point: “India has options.” Despite increasing Western pressure to reduce ties with Moscow, New Delhi is signaling its unwillingness to abandon a relationship that has endured for decades, dating back to the Cold War when India aligned more closely with the Soviet Union amid tensions with Pakistan, the United States, and China.
Putin’s visit carries symbolic weight for Russia as well. Following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in March 2023, his international travel has been limited. Visiting “the world’s largest democracy,” as experts describe India, provides him with considerable global visibility.
Following bilateral talks, both leaders announced several new agreements, including a program aimed at increasing the number of Indian workers employed in Russia. Putin emphasized Moscow’s commitment to India’s energy needs, stating through a translator, “Russia is ready to continue uninterrupted fuel shipments to support India’s fast-growing economy.”
India has become one of the world’s largest buyers of Russian oil, significantly increasing its purchases after the Ukraine invasion. However, recent U.S. sanctions and tariff hikes have forced Indian refiners to scale back their purchases. The Trump administration doubled tariffs on India to 50%, imposing penalties on Kremlin-linked producers.
Reliance Industries, India’s largest buyer of Russian crude, halted imports in November to comply with a new European Union ban on refined products made from Russian oil. Despite these challenges, experts note that Russian oil continues to arrive in India through a network of sanctions-evading “shadow fleet” vessels that operate under false flags and disguises.
India has consistently argued that U.S. pressure is “unreasonable,” pointing out that both the EU and the U.S. continue to purchase certain Russian energy products themselves.
India is carefully navigating its diplomatic relationships, increasing purchases of American oil and natural gas to ease tensions with Washington while simultaneously deepening ties with Russia. Bajpaee remarked, “India is navigating a difficult path — keeping close ties with Moscow while strengthening engagement with the West.”
Modi referred to the Ukraine conflict delicately as “the situation in Ukraine,” reiterating India’s support for a peaceful resolution without directly condemning Russia. Meanwhile, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner recently held a five-hour meeting with Putin, although the Russian leader dismissed key American proposals.
During the summit, India and Russia finalized a plan to boost bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030, announced more opportunities for Indian workers in Russia, and reaffirmed defense cooperation, including future joint production of advanced weapon platforms. Although Russia remains India’s largest arms supplier, its share has declined as India diversifies its sources with Western, Israeli, and domestic systems.
Bajpaee argues that despite India’s growing partnership with the U.S., which includes more joint military exercises than with any other country, the India-Russia relationship is still viewed as dependable in many respects. From New Delhi’s perspective, recent developments suggest that Russia may be more reliable than the U.S., whose behavior can sometimes be unpredictable, according to Bajpaee.
As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, the strengthening of India-Russia ties during Putin’s visit underscores the complexities of international relations in a multipolar world.
According to Chatham House.