Putin's India Visit: Modi to Host Putin for Private Dinner, Key Talks on Defence, Trade, and Energy
Image Source: Internet
Russian President Vladimir Putin will embark on a two-day visit to India, commencing on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a private dinner for Putin at New Delhi's Hyderabad House, hours after the Russian leader's arrival. This visit marks Putin's first trip to India since the Ukraine conflict, amidst a backdrop of US sanctions against New Delhi. The 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, scheduled for Friday, will focus on strengthening defence ties and exploring trade and energy cooperation opportunities. Ahead of Putin's visit, Russia has cleared a crucial defence deal between the two nations. Discussions may also include the possibility of Russia supplying Su-57 fighter jets to India, as reported by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. India is currently in the process of procuring fifth-generation fighter jets. On the agenda for the Modi-Putin summit are measures to shield India-Russia trade from US sanctions, an offer for small modular reactors in nuclear energy, and deepened defence cooperation. The two sides are also expected to sign agreements, including one facilitating Indian workers' movement to Russia. Putin's visit is being seen as an opportunity for India to assert its strategic autonomy by revitalising defence and economic ties with Russia. New Delhi is likely to push for addressing the growing trade deficit, which has resulted from large volumes of Russian crude oil procurement. The impact of US sanctions on India's Russian crude oil purchases might also be discussed. Additionally, Putin is expected to brief Modi on the US efforts to broker a deal between Russia and Ukraine, aiming to put an end to the conflict.
