Putin Arrives in India: Su-57 Jets, Bilateral Trade on Agenda Amid Ukraine Tensions
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Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Delhi on Thursday evening, marking his first visit to India since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The 23rd India-Russia annual summit, a two-day event, will focus on strengthening defense ties and trade cooperation, including energy deals. Putin's agenda includes a private dinner with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, discussions on trade and economic cooperation, and potential collaborations in various sectors such as industrial cooperation, transportation, space exploration, mining, healthcare, and labor migration programs. The visit assumes significance as it comes after the US imposed 50% tariffs on Indian imports, a move that has strained ties between New Delhi and Washington. India, meanwhile, is seeking to balance its need for cheap crude oil with a desire to avoid US sanctions. Key topics on the agenda include the possibility of Russia supplying Su-57 fighter jets to India, which is currently procuring a batch of fifth-generation fighter jets. The two leaders will also discuss raising bilateral trade from $68 billion to $100 billion by 2030 and explore ways to settle transactions in their own currencies. The summit will also cover measures to insulate India-Russia trade from US sanctions, an offer on small modular reactors for nuclear energy, and the deepening of defense cooperation. Both sides are expected to sign agreements, including one on facilitating the movement of Indian workers to Russia. Additionally, the two nations may discuss India's proposed free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union.
