On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin will arrive in India for a significant two-day visit aimed at deepening the bilateral partnership between India and Russia. The eyes of the world are keenly focused on this historic visit, which promises to bring about major advancements in political, economic, and strategic cooperation between the two nations. President Putin is expected to arrive in New Delhi around 4:30 PM on Thursday, with all preparations for his reception having been completed. That evening, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a private dinner to welcome his Russian counterpart, after which the formal schedule of events will begin the following day.
Official Welcome and Bilateral Talks
According to officials familiar with the visit, President Putin will receive a formal welcome on Friday, followed by the 23rd India-Russia Summit. During the summit, the two leaders will discuss a wide range of topics, including strengthening defense cooperation, enhancing bilateral trade, and addressing the challenges posed by external pressures. One of the key items on the agenda is expected to be the issue of India’s growing trade deficit, particularly due to the large-scale import of Russian crude oil. India’s purchase of Russian oil has been a point of discussion, especially in the context of the US-imposed 25% tariff on Russian crude oil, which is part of a broader set of sanctions.
Prime Minister Modi will also host a lunch at Hyderabad House for President Putin and his delegation. The following day, President Putin will visit Raj Ghat to pay tribute to India’s founding father, Mahatma Gandhi. Later, President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet in honor of the Russian President. After a 28-hour journey, President Putin is expected to depart India around 9:30 PM on Friday evening.
Strengthening Strategic and Economic Cooperation
The broader objective of President Putin’s visit is to fortify the strategic and economic partnership between India and Russia, particularly at a time when relations between India and the United States are under strain. The India-Russia summit will also address key issues such as defense collaboration, securing bilateral trade from external pressures, and potential cooperation in the area of small modular reactors (SMRs). Western countries are closely monitoring this summit, especially in light of the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
President Putin may also brief Prime Minister Modi on the ongoing efforts by the United States to end the war in Ukraine. European nations have urged India to leverage its influence with Russia to press for a resolution to the conflict. India has consistently emphasized that the only way to end the war is through dialogue and diplomacy.
Key Agreements and Future Collaborations
Following the talks between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin, several important agreements are expected to be signed. These may include a pact to facilitate the movement of Indian workers to Russia and a defense cooperation agreement. Additionally, there is anticipation of a significant increase in the export of Indian goods to Russia, particularly in the sectors of pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food products, and consumer goods. This move comes at a time when India is concerned about its growing trade deficit with Russia. India imports approximately 65 billion USD worth of products and services from Russia each year, while Russia’s imports from India total around five billion USD.
India is also working to increase cooperation in the fertilizer sector. Russia currently supplies India with 3 to 4 million tons of fertilizers annually, and both countries are expected to explore ways to expand this collaboration further. Officials have indicated that both sides will also discuss agreements in other areas such as trade, education, agriculture, and culture.
Another crucial topic of discussion may be the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, which is a trade bloc that includes Russia. Both sides are eager to finalize this agreement at the earliest, with the aim of boosting economic ties between India and the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union.
Defense Cooperation: Key Focus of Talks
Ahead of the summit, defense ministers from both countries will hold extensive talks on Thursday. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart, Andrei Belousov, will discuss key defense matters, including India’s interest in acquiring additional S-400 missile defense systems and other critical military hardware from Russia. High-level military officials have indicated that the discussions will focus on enhancing the already close defense ties between the two nations and ensuring the swift delivery of military products to India.
Ahead of President Putin’s arrival, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned that the Russian President may also discuss the possibility of supplying India with Su-57 fighter jets. India is currently evaluating next-generation platforms such as the Rafale, F-21, F/A-18, and Eurofighter Typhoon, and the Su-57 could be a part of this evaluation.
Importance of Annual Summit and Future Prospects
It is important to note that India and Russia hold an annual summit every year to review the full spectrum of their bilateral relations. So far, 22 such annual summits have taken place. The most recent summit occurred in 2021, when President Putin visited India. Prime Minister Modi also traveled to Moscow in July of the previous year to participate in the annual summit. These annual meetings serve as a crucial platform for both countries to discuss key issues, assess the progress of existing agreements, and chart the course for future collaboration.
As President Putin’s visit unfolds, it is clear that both India and Russia are committed to further strengthening their longstanding partnership. From defense cooperation to trade agreements and cultural exchanges, this visit is set to pave the way for deeper collaboration between the two countries in the years to come. The discussions at the India-Russia summit will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the geopolitical landscape, especially as India seeks to balance its relations with major powers such as the United States and Russia. The successful outcomes of this summit could lead to a stronger, more resilient partnership between India and Russia, benefiting both nations across multiple sectors.
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