Putin lands in Delhi as India navigates major geopolitical shifts
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening for a 27-hour visit seen by India as a strong reaffirmation of one of its oldest and most enduring strategic partnerships, even as global geopolitics undergo dramatic change.
Putin’s visit comes amid a visible downturn in India-US relations, fresh Western sanctions on Moscow, renewed American pressure to end the Ukraine war and rising scrutiny of India’s energy ties with Russia.
The Russian President’s aircraft touched down in Delhi at around 6:35 pm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally received him at Palam airport and welcomed him with a warm embrace before accompanying him in his car to the city. Modi will host Putin for a private dinner on Thursday night – a reciprocal gesture to the hospitality extended by the Russian leader during the Prime Minister’s visit to Moscow in July last year.
High-level summit on Friday
The formal summit between the two leaders will take place on Friday. Putin will first receive a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, followed by a visit to Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. A working lunch at Hyderabad House—India’s traditional venue for top-level bilateral dialogues—will follow the summit discussions.
Later, Putin is expected to inaugurate a new India-based channel of Russia’s state broadcaster before attending a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. He is scheduled to depart India around 9 pm on Friday.
Business, defence and energy in focus
Government sources said Putin is travelling with a large delegation of Russian business leaders, with India aiming to reduce its widening trade deficit with Moscow. Officials from both sides confirmed that the summit will focus on three key areas: defence, energy and trade.
Multiple agreements and MoUs are expected in shipping, healthcare, fertilisers and connectivity.
On Thursday, ahead of the summit, defence ministers of both countries held extensive talks that included India’s plan to procure additional S-400 air defence systems and resolve delays in military hardware deliveries caused by the Ukraine war. India, which began receiving S-400 systems under a $5 billion deal signed in 2018, used the platform during Operation Sindoor.
The Kremlin has also indicated that Moscow may propose supplying Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets—a move that would place Russia in direct competition with Western aircraft such as the Rafale, F-21, F/A-18 and Eurofighter Typhoon.
Energy ties under pressure
India remains one of the largest buyers of discounted Russian crude, but recent US sanctions against two major Russian oil producers have led to a decline in imports.
Putin’s visit also coincides with what senior Indian officials privately describe as “the most strained period in India-US relations in two decades”. Washington has imposed a 50% tariff on several Indian goods and a further 25% levy linked directly to India’s purchase of Russian oil.
Tight security in New Delhi
Delhi Police have deployed more than 5,000 personnel across central and New Delhi districts for the high-profile visit. Security measures include layered protection with SWAT units, anti-terror squads, snipers positioned at strategic locations, quick-reaction teams, anti-drone systems, extensive CCTV coverage and enhanced technical surveillance.
Putin’s trip is being closely watched globally as India seeks to balance major power relationships during one of the most complex geopolitical periods in recent years.
Source: NDTV