Putin Meets Modi in New Delhi: Trade, Ukraine Peace, and India-Russia Ties Take Center Stage

NEW DELHI, Dec 5 (Reuters) – Russian head of state Vladimir Putin touched down in New Delhi on Thursday marking his first Indian trip in four years. He had a meeting with Indian PM Narendra Modi and discussions about peace in Ukraine, besides defense cooperation, and trade going on among high hopes of the mutual strengthening of relations.

This visit takes place at a very crucial moment since India is dealing with the U. S. about a trade deal that is focused on the lowering of tariffs that have been placed on its goods by America because of the ongoing imports of Russian oil. Moscow sees New Delhi as a top supplier of weapons and a partner in oil trade, thus the partnership between India and Russia is very important to both sides as Western sanctions would otherwise isolate Russia internationally.

India Stands for Peace in Ukraine

Talks between the leaders started on Friday, and Modi once again stated India’s stand on the Ukraine conflict:

"India isn't neutral - India holds a position, and that position is for peace," Modi added. "We endorse every undertaking for peace and we accompany each initiative for peace."

The Russian president expressed his gratitude to Modi, stating that the two of them had already talked about steps leading to a possible peaceful settlement, including cooperation with the international partners such as the USA.

"The larger our countries and economies get the more extensive will be the areas of mutual cooperation," Putin pointed out. "There are new sectors — high-tech solutions, aviation, space, and AI. The trust in the military-technical cooperation is the highest, and we are going to keep progressing in all these directions."

Ceremonial Welcome in Delhi

At the airport, Modi warmly welcomed Putin and they shared a brief hug before going to a private dinner together. The next day, the Russian president received a complete ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, with a 21-gun salute, indicating the importance India attaches to its relationship with Moscow.

Over the coming days trade and investment deals are high on the agenda of talks.

After the negotiations, both countries are likely to have many agreements signed. Among the most important ones are:

The establishment of a urea plant by Indian companies in collaboration with Russia's Uralchem group.

The obtaining of the permission of Russian banks Gazprombank and Alfa Bank to operate in India with the aim of increasing the dual trade between the two countries.

The sharing of technology in nuclear power generation, manpower, and others, as well as the support of Indian defence production to attain self-reliance from Russia.

Putin Challenges U. S. Pressure on India

The Russian president also remarked on the U. S. position against India buying oil from Russia by pointing to their double standards.

"If the U. S. can buy our fuel, then why India can’t?," he stated. "It should be debated thoroughly, and we are open to further discussions."

India, on the other hand, has always insisted on the fairness of Western tariffs on its exports, citing the U. S. and EU's ongoing Russian oil purchases.

India’s Diplomatic Balancing Act

This visit underlines the delicate balancing act of India: to keep its long-standing relations with Moscow while at the same time working with the West in economic and strategic issues.

"India is in a dilemma, either to cultivate the relationship with Moscow or Washington, since both options would be detrimental to the other,"—Michael Kugelman, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, stated in Foreign Policy.

Looking Ahead

New Delhi is going to be the venue for a discussion about the Modi-Putin meeting which will be trade, defense, civil nuclear energy, and global peace. In this way, India positioned itself as the world’s diplomatic bridge between the East and the West.