Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened their summit talks in New Delhi on Friday, with India welcoming the Russian leader with full ceremonial honours. Modi told Putin that India supports ongoing peace efforts in Ukraine.
Putin’s visit — his first to India in four years — comes as Moscow seeks to expand trade with one of its key energy and defence partners at a time when Western sanctions continue to pressure Russia’s economy.
The summit takes place as India negotiates a trade agreement with the United States to roll back punitive tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump in response to New Delhi’s large purchases of discounted Russian oil. Russia has been India’s top arms supplier for decades and hopes to increase imports of Indian goods to rebalance bilateral trade, with a goal of reaching $100 billion by 2030.
Following Europe’s sharp reduction in Russian energy imports after the invasion of Ukraine, India stepped in as one of Moscow’s biggest buyers of discounted crude. But under growing U.S. pressure and sanctions, India has recently reduced its purchases.
India Calls for Peace in Ukraine
Modi reiterated that India is not neutral but “stands for peace,” adding that New Delhi supports all diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the conflict. He urged China, the U.S., and Russia to work toward at least a ceasefire that stops strikes on critical infrastructure.
Putin thanked Modi for his engagement on the issue, saying the two leaders had discussed developments on the “Ukrainian track” in detail and explored steps being taken with other partners, including Washington, toward a possible settlement.
Putin added that as both economies grow, new areas of cooperation are emerging — including high technology, aviation, space, and artificial intelligence — alongside long-standing defence cooperation.
A Warm Welcome in Delhi
Putin arrived on Thursday and was greeted by Modi with an embrace on the airport tarmac. The leaders then shared a private dinner before the formal meetings.
On Friday morning, Putin received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace, complete with a 21-gun salute. Both countries are expected to announce multiple agreements after the summit.
Indian companies are poised to sign a deal with Russia’s Uralchem to jointly build a urea plant in Russia. Russian banks Gazprombank and Alfa Bank have also applied for approval to operate in India to support growing trade flows.
Putin Pushes Back on U.S. Criticism
Modi and Putin are also set to discuss labour cooperation and civil nuclear energy. Putin is accompanied by a large delegation, including Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, who met Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday. Belousov said Russia is ready to support India in developing self-reliant defence production.
In an interview with India Today, Putin challenged U.S. criticism of India’s Russian oil purchases, noting that Washington itself continues to import Russian nuclear fuel. “If the U.S. can buy our fuel, why shouldn’t India have the same right?” he said.
India argues that U.S. tariffs are unfair and points out that both the U.S. and the European Union still purchase billions of dollars in Russian commodities.
India’s Balancing Act
Putin arrived a day after talks with Trump’s top envoys on a potential Ukraine peace deal, though no breakthrough was achieved. India has avoided condemning Russia and insists that dialogue and diplomacy are the only solutions.
However, New Delhi faces increasing pressure from both Washington and Moscow. Strengthening ties with one risks straining relations with the other, analysts say.
“India faces a conundrum; by taking steps to strengthen ties with Moscow or Washington, New Delhi risks setting back ties with the other,” wrote Michael Kugelman of the Atlantic Council in Foreign Policy.