Putin's India Visit: Sanctions, Defence Deals, and Economic Ties on Agenda

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Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to arrive in Delhi on Thursday, December 4, for a summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, December 5. The annual meeting marks Putin's first visit to India since the Ukraine invasion. Key issues on the agenda include measures to shield India-Russia trade from US sanctions, a proposal for small modular reactors to boost nuclear energy, and enhanced defence cooperation. The summit has been seen as an opportunity for India to assert its strategic autonomy by strengthening ties with Russia, despite pressure from the US to reduce Russian energy and military purchases. India and Russia have made significant progress in recent weeks, including finalizing an agreement for the mobility of skilled and semi-skilled workers. Negotiations have also begun on a free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, a five-member bloc that includes Russia. The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS) agreement, which was signed in February, has been ratified by Russia's State Duma. The agreement aims to facilitate cooperation between the two countries' militaries. Putin's visit is expected to focus on deepening economic and defence ties between India and Russia, amidst growing tensions with the US. The outcome of the summit will be closely watched for signs of a strengthening partnership between the two nations.