Putin seeks to boost energy, defence exports with India visit
Vladimir Putin-Narendra Modi
Russian President Vladimir Putin begins a two-day visit to India on Thursday, seeking to revitalise Moscow’s energy and defence partnership with New Delhi at a time when Western pressure and shifting global oil flows have strained the traditionally close ties between the two countries.
The visit — Putin’s first to India in four years — comes as Russia aims to expand exports of crude oil, missile systems, fighter aircraft and other defence hardware. Moscow has long been India’s largest supplier of military equipment, and since the Ukraine war in 2022, Russia has also become India’s biggest source of seaborne oil, helping New Delhi manage rising energy costs.
However, India’s crude imports from Russia are projected to fall to a three-year low this month as US and EU sanctions tighten and Indian refiners diversify toward growing volumes of American oil and LNG. The shift has raised concerns in Moscow that its share of the Indian market could shrink further without new agreements.
Putin is accompanied by Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and a large delegation comprising senior officials, energy executives and defence industry representatives, signalling Moscow’s intent to secure long-term deals. The Kremlin hopes to push for additional purchases of advanced air-defence systems, upgrades to India’s fighter fleet and expanded cooperation in shipbuilding and joint weapons production.
But Indian officials remain cautious. New Delhi fears that signing major new contracts could provoke a backlash from Washington, especially after US President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50% in August in retaliation for India’s continued imports of Russian oil. Indian policymakers worry that further friction with the United States — now one of India’s biggest trade partners — could complicate its economic and strategic priorities.
In the run-up to the summit, officials from both sides held consultations covering defence cooperation, shipping, agriculture, trade and energy. In August, India and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union agreed to begin negotiations on a free trade agreement, a move that could significantly expand bilateral commerce.
Analysts in New Delhi say both nations are also exploring deeper civilian nuclear cooperation, including new reactors and joint fuel-cycle projects, as Russia looks to secure its position in India’s long-term energy planning.
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