By kremlin.ru
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have launched a full day of high-level talks in New Delhi, where expanding trade ties and intensifying Western sanctions linked to the Ukraine war form the core of their discussions.
Friday’s summit marks Putin’s first trip to India since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The visit comes as New Delhi seeks relief from harsh United States trade penalties imposed over its continued purchases of discounted Russian oil. Modi, opening the dialogue, underscored that India’s position is neither passive nor indifferent. “India is not neutral — India has a position, and that position is for peace,” he said, stressing that his government supports all genuine initiatives aimed at ending the conflict.
Putin, responding to Modi’s remarks, expressed appreciation for India’s diplomatic engagement and efforts toward a peaceful resolution. He said the meeting offered him a chance to present a detailed overview of developments on the Ukrainian front, as well as the joint efforts being pursued with “other partners, including the United States”, toward creating the conditions for a possible settlement.
Moscow views the visit as an opportunity to reinforce its decades-old relationship with India, already the world’s leading buyer of Russian defence equipment. Russian officials have said they aim to raise bilateral trade to $100bn by 2030 — a significant increase from the record $68bn registered in 2024.
The day’s proceedings began at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where Putin was received by India’s ceremonial president, Droupadi Murmu, alongside Modi, during a formal guard-of-honour welcome. The Russian leader then travelled to Raj Ghat, paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi with a wreath at the memorial of the independence icon.
Subsequent meetings were held at Hyderabad House, where the two leaders are scheduled to address the media ahead of talks with business executives and trade stakeholders. Indian analysts observed that Putin’s arrival unfolded with “much fanfare”, signalling New Delhi’s intent to publicly reaffirm its longstanding strategic partnership with Moscow.
Modi personally welcomed Putin at the New Delhi airport on Thursday, greeting him with a warm hug and handshake before hosting a private dinner at his residence. “There were a lot of hugs and handshakes,” said analyst Poonia. She added that Friday’s bilateral meeting is seen as an opportunity for both leaders to challenge Western narratives portraying Putin as isolated and unwelcome on the global stage.
Putin continues to face an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued in 2023 over the alleged unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children. India, however, is not a signatory to the ICC treaty and is therefore not obligated to enforce the warrant, enabling Putin to travel without fear of detention.
The Russian president is scheduled to leave India at 9pm local time (15:30 GMT).
India’s Strategic Balancing Test
Russia and India have maintained a strategic partnership for a quarter century, dating back to Putin’s first year as Russia’s head of state. But New Delhi’s delicate effort to preserve strong ties with both Moscow and Washington has grown increasingly complex since the Ukraine invasion.
The 2022 conflict disrupted the tradition of annual India-Russia leadership visits. The routine partially resumed last year when Modi travelled to Russia. As Western governments slashed their imports of Russian crude, India significantly expanded its purchases, becoming one of Moscow’s primary buyers.
However, Washington escalated economic pressure in August by doubling tariffs on certain Indian goods from 25 percent to 50 percent, penalising India for sustaining its oil relationship with Russia. The push, driven by then-President Donald Trump, was part of a broader attempt to force Moscow toward accepting a ceasefire.
India continued importing Russian oil despite the economic pressure. But the situation shifted in November when Trump’s sanctions targeting Russian energy giants Rosneft and Lukoil came into effect, alongside threats aimed at foreign companies dealing with them. These two firms supply around 60 percent of India’s crude imports, putting New Delhi in an increasingly difficult position.
Indian officials have argued that they are being unfairly singled out, pointing out that Western countries continue selective trade with Russia when it benefits their own interests. Speaking to Indian media ahead of his arrival, Putin echoed this, noting that the United States “still buys nuclear fuel from us for its own nuclear power plants”, and insisting that India should enjoy “the same privilege”.
Putin is also expected to press India to deepen its defence procurement from Russia. Moscow hopes to secure additional deals for S-400 missile systems and the Su-57 stealth fighter — areas where New Delhi faces ongoing scrutiny from Washington.
Friday’s summit follows recent diplomatic activity in Moscow, where Putin met with a US delegation to discuss options for ending the Ukraine war. While both sides welcomed signs of progress, neither reported a major breakthrough. The following day, US representatives held talks with Ukrainian officials.
Throughout the conflict, India has avoided condemning Moscow directly. Instead, New Delhi has repeatedly called for peace achieved through negotiation, dialogue, and diplomacy — a position it continues to maintain as it navigates mounting global pressure.
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