Putin, Modi meet in New Delhi to boost trade, peace

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a daylong summit in New Delhi on December 5, focusing on trade, arms deals, and efforts for peace in Ukraine, amid ongoing US sanctions and tariffs on Indian oil purchases from Russia.

This marks Putin’s first visit to India since the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war, as India seeks relief from punitive US tariffs. Modi emphasized India’s stance for peace, stating, “We support every effort for peace, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with every initiative taken for peace.” Putin thanked Modi and outlined Russia’s steps toward a potential peaceful resolution.

The summit included ceremonial visits, such as Putin’s wreath-laying at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial, and discussions on strengthening bilateral trade, which Russia hopes to grow to $100 billion by 2030. India remains a major buyer of Russian arms, and Moscow is seeking to sell additional S-400 missile systems and Su-57 jets.

The meeting occurs as India balances relations between Russia and the US, continuing to import Russian oil despite Western sanctions. India argues it is being unfairly targeted, while Putin pointed out that the US itself purchases Russian nuclear fuel.

The summit comes days after Putin met a US delegation in Moscow to push for progress on the Ukraine conflict, though no breakthrough was reached.

Source: Aljazeera