India is preparing for a major diplomatic event. Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit New Delhi for the India-Russia Summit between December 4 and 5.
His visit comes at a time when US President Donald Trump is pressuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reduce the purchase of Russian oil.
This summit is important because it will influence not only India-Russia ties but also India’s growing relationship with the US. This will be Putin’s first visit to India in four years.
Why this summit matters now
The meeting between Modi and Putin at the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit is taking place during a period of global tension. India has long-standing defence and energy ties with Russia. At the same time, India is building deeper economic and strategic relations with the US.
However, the US has imposed high tariffs on India, especially over its purchase of Russian oil. Russia is facing Western sanctions and wants to keep India as a major partner to reduce the economic pressure. So, India must carefully balance both friendships.
How it affects India-US ties
US wants India to cut its dependence on Russian energy. The Trump administration has warned India with tariffs and possible secondary sanctions. This has caused stress in the India-US partnership. India wants to make its own independent foreign policy choices. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow understands the difficulties India faces, “We cannot interfere in the diplomatic relations between the US and India. We understand that there is pressure over India,” he stated in an official statement
He also added, “This is the reason we have to be careful in creating an architecture of the relationship that must be free of any influence coming from any third country.”
Meanwhile, India is still working with the US on other areas. For example, Indian state-run oil companies have agreed to import 2.2 million tonnes of cooking gas from the US. This may help reduce the trade gap, which the US complains about.
But India continues to buy Russian defence systems and oil. India also takes a different stand than the US on the Ukraine conflict. All this creates some friction with Washington.
How it affects Russia-US ties
Putin’s visit shows that Russia is strengthening ties with countries outside the Western world because of US-led sanctions. Russia wants to increase trade with India to $100 billion by 2030. This indicates how important India is for Russia at a time when Moscow’s links with the West are shrinking.
US is not happy with India buying Russian oil and weapons because it reduces the effect of sanctions against Russia. So this summit will impact the US-Russia relationship
Why does the India-Russia relationship stay strong?
Peskov describes the partnership as more than normal diplomacy: “The Russia-India relationship is not just a standard set of diplomatic protocols and trade agreements; it’s much more important…”
Former Indian Ambassador to Russia, Ajai Malhotra, also explains why India continues cooperation with Moscow, “We should look first to our national interests. If it is in our national interest to have a particular item or import a particular thing, we should do so…” For India, Russia has always been a trusted defence supplier and a strong supporter in global politics.
Energy, defence and money: Main focus areas
Energy, defence and money will be the main focus of the summit. India and Russia are expected to talk about new fighter jets like the Su-57, long-term oil and gas deals, and new payment methods such as the rupee-ruble system to avoid Western sanctions.
These plans help India stay strong in defence and make sure it has enough energy. They also show the US that India wants to take decisions based on what is best for the country. India wants good relations with both Russia and the US without picking sides. Russia sees India as an important partner while it faces pressure from the West. There is no doubt that the summit is set to change the dynamics of the relation of the two countries with US
