New Delhi: President Vladimir Putin arrived in India on December 4 for a two-day state visit to discuss expanded cooperation on Russian crude oil, missile systems, advanced weapons and fighter jets. A high-level Russian delegation, including top executives from major defence and energy companies, is accompanying him.
This marks Putin’s first in-person summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in four years. India and Russia have maintained close strategic and economic ties for decades, and despite the Ukraine war, New Delhi remains one of the largest buyers of Russia’s seaborne crude.
However, due to tightening Western sanctions and restrictions on shipping and payments, India’s imports of Russian oil have recently dropped to their lowest level in three years. In December, India is expected to receive only 600,000 to 650,000 barrels per day of Russian oil, down sharply from 1.87 million barrels per day in November, as refiners switch to alternative supplies to avoid violating sanctions.
This has prompted New Delhi to increase purchases of oil and gas from the United States and other sources.
Indian authorities are increasingly cautious about signing new agreements with Moscow, fearing it could strain relations with Washington. President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on key Indian goods in August 2025, signalling U.S. expectations that India reduce its dependence on Russian energy and defence supplies.
Both countries are exploring ways to deepen collaboration across multiple sectors, including defence production, civil nuclear technology for power generation, shipping, and agriculture. Discussions on a potential Free Trade Agreement to facilitate bilateral commerce are also ongoing.
The visit comes at a delicate moment for India, which is attempting to balance its traditional partnership with Russia against growing pressure from the United States, its largest export market and a key strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
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