Moscow Seeks Stronger Energy, Defence Ties with India Amid Putin Visit
Russian President Vladimir Putin starts a two-day visit to India from Thursday, pitching for more sales of Russian oil, missile systems and fighter jets, according to the Reuters news agency.
Russia has supplied arms to India for decades, with New Delhi emerging as its top buyer of seaborne oil.
On his first visit in four years to the Indian capital for a summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Putin will be accompanied by his defence minister, Andrei Belousov, and a wide-ranging delegation from business and industry.
“Putin’s visit offers an opportunity for Delhi to reassert the strength of its special relationship with Moscow, despite recent developments, and make headway in new arms deals,” said Michael Kugelman of the Atlantic Council think tank.
“India-Russia summits are never solely optics-driven affairs, given the substance of the relationship,” added Kugelman, a senior South Asia fellow at the Washington-based body.
New initiatives were likely to be announced, he added, even if they mostly related to low-hanging fruit in ties, he said.
Ahead of Putin’s visit, officials of both sides held talks in areas from defence to shipping and agriculture. In August, they agreed to launch talks for a free trade deal between India and the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union.
They are also in talks to expand their partnership in civilian nuclear energy, Indian analysts have said.
