Putin arrives in India to deepen defence ties with Modi
Vladimir Putin has arrived in India for talks on defence deals despite US pressure over Russian oil purchases, with Prime Minister Modi greeting his "friend" at the airport.
Vladimir Putin has arrived in India for a two-day visit aimed at deepening defence ties, as New Delhi faces heavy US pressure to stop buying oil from Moscow.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was at the airport to welcome the Russian leader in person, greeting him on the red carpet with a hug, before riding together in the same car.
Mr Putin, on his first visit to India since the Ukraine war, is accompanied by his Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, with possible deals on fighter jets and air defence systems expected to be discussed.
In an interview with India Today, Mr Putin said he was “very happy” to be meeting “my friend” Mr Modi.
“The range of our co-operation with India is huge,” he said in remarks translated by the broadcaster, citing ship and aircraft manufacturing, nuclear energy and space exploration.
Mr Putin also told India Today he would seize Ukraine’s Donbas region “by military or other means”.
The Indian leader said he was “delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin to India”.
“Looking forward to our interactions later this evening and tomorrow,” Mr Modi said in a post on X.
He hosted Mr Putin for a private dinner on Thursday evening, followed by a summit meeting on Friday.
“India-Russia friendship is a time tested one that has greatly benefited our people,” Mr Modi added, posting a picture of them from inside the car.
Trade relations are expected to feature prominently as India walks a diplomatic tightrope — relying on strategic Russian oil imports while trying not to provoke US President Donald Trump during ongoing tariff negotiations.
Energy imports
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said talks to expand the supply of Russia’s advanced S-400 air defence systems had an “important place on the agenda”.
Indian media reports suggested Moscow may also offer co-production of Russia’s Su-57 fighter jets.
India is one of the world’s top arms importers, and Russia has long been a principal supplier.
Delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin to India. Looking forward to our interactions later this evening and tomorrow. India-Russia friendship is a time tested one that has greatly benefitted our people.@KremlinRussia_Epic.twitter.com/L7IORzRfV9
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 4, 2025
But New Delhi has also sought alternative suppliers, as well as boosting domestic production — with the Russian share of India’s arms imports falling from 76 per cent in 2009-13 to 36 per cent in 2019-23, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Mr Putin’s visit comes after Mr Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on most Indian products in August, citing Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil — revenue Washington argues helps fund the war in Ukraine.
India, the world’s most populous nation, has become a major buyer of Russian oil, saving itself billions of dollars and providing Moscow with a much-needed export market after it was cut off from traditional buyers in Europe because of the war.
But Delhi has recently cut down on crude imports under pressure from sanctions on Russia’s top oil producers Rosneft and Lukoil.
The Indian government fears any fresh energy or defence deals with Russia could irk Mr Trump, with possible ramifications on trade negotiations with Washington.
Mr Peskov said Moscow wanted to “maintain and increase the volume of our bilateral business with India, without allowing anyone to interfere”.
Nandan Unnikrishnan, of the New Delhi-based think-tank Observer Research Foundation, said: “There may be some reduction in energy purchases — under US pressure — but the overall direction of the ties will be maintained because both countries need each other at the strategic level.”
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