Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to begin the core diplomatic engagements of his two-day visit to India, convening with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening, marking his first State visit to the country since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022.
An Unconventional Welcome Underscores Personal Ties
Day one of the visit was characterized by a rare and warm display of personal chemistry and disregard for standard protocol.
- Personal Reception: Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally received President Putin at the Palam Technical Airport in Delhi, a diplomatic gesture usually reserved for the highest-ranking and closest allies.
- Dinner Diplomacy: The two leaders shared a car ride together from the airport to 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, the Prime Minister’s residence, for an informal, private dinner. This mirrored a similar car ride they shared in Tianjin, China, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in August. The leaders were seen exchanging warm smiles and sharing laughs, setting a congenial stage for the formal talks. PM Modi also presented Putin with a copy of the Bhagavad Gita in Russian as a gift.
Day 2 Itinerary: The 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit
The focus of Putin’s second day is the 23rd Annual Summit, where the two sides are expected to sign several agreements across defence, energy, and trade, including a potential roadmap for economic cooperation until 2030.
| Event | Timing (Approximate) |
| Ceremonial Reception | 11:00 am |
| Wreath laying at Rajghat | 11:30 am |
| Meet with PM Modi (23rd Annual Summit Talks) at Hyderabad House | 11:50 am |
| Press Statements at Hyderabad House | 1:50 pm |
| Business Event | 3:40 pm |
| Meet with President Droupadi Murmu (State Banquet) | 7:00 pm |
| Departure | 9:00 pm |
The Shadow of US Sanctions
The visit comes at a crucial geopolitical juncture, particularly as the US has ratcheted up pressure on India. The context includes:
- Tariff Pressure: The US recently imposed a sweep of 50% tariffs on certain Indian imports, with half of these duties levied specifically as penalties for India’s energy ties with Russia following the Ukraine war.
- Putin’s Counter-Argument: Ahead of his visit, President Putin directly addressed the US pressure in an interview, questioning the logic of sanctioning India for buying Russian fuel when the United States itself continues to purchase nuclear fuel from Russia for its own power plants.
The summit provides a platform for India and Russia to reaffirm their “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,” potentially securing new defence deals, including a possible contract for additional S-400 air defence system regiments, and working on mechanisms to streamline non-dollar trade to bypass Western sanctions.