New Delhi, Dec 03 When President Vladimir Putin’s aircraft touched down at Delhi’s Palam Airport, he may not have immediately known that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was waiting on the tarmac to receive him. As state-run RT—formerly Russia Today—noted, Modi “broke protocol” to greet the Russian leader, whom he openly refers to as a friend.
Putin’s trip marks a special edition of the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, a tradition that began in 2000. Adding to the significance of the visit, the Russian President will also inaugurate RT India on December 5. The Moscow-based global network plans to air four daily English news programmes aimed at deepening India–Russia ties and highlighting the role of both nations in an increasingly multipolar world.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov underscored the strength of the partnership, describing India and Russia’s cooperation as extending into “the most sensitive areas.” Defence and space collaboration will feature prominently in this round of talks, including discussions on the joint production of Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jets.
Meanwhile, the India–Russia Business Forum, held alongside Putin’s visit, reflects the countries’ long-standing economic engagement. One former Indian bureaucrat once remarked that while Western suppliers offer timely support, Russian partners are known to “roll up their sleeves” and personally guide operations—an anecdote widely repeated as a testament to the character of the relationship.
India and Russia have shared a time-tested bond since the Soviet era. During the 1971 war, when the United States deployed the Seventh Fleet to pressure India, Moscow responded swiftly by dispatching its Black Sea Fleet to the Arabian Sea, forcing Washington to retreat and averting the threat of a larger conflict.
The diplomatic equations continue to evolve. At the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi, the original draft that cited “Russian aggression” in Ukraine was rephrased—at India’s insistence—to the more neutral “war in Ukraine.” This contrasted sharply with the 2022 Bali Declaration, which had directly criticised Russia’s invasion and humanitarian fallout. The shift reframed the conflict as a broader crisis impacting global stability, rather than attributing unilateral blame.
Defence cooperation also remains a cornerstone. During Operation Sindoor, Russia’s S-400 air defence system proved decisive in neutralising Pakistani aerial threats inside Indian airspace. Encouraged by its success, India is now studying the possibility of acquiring the next-generation S-500 Prometheus to further strengthen its air defence shield.
Beyond bilateral ties, India and Russia remain partners in several key international groupings. Both countries work together in BRICS, which has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, emerging as an influential platform for Global South cooperation. India is also a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), founded in 2001 to promote regional security, peace, and a more balanced global political and economic order.
Today, as Russia confronts Western sanctions over the Ukraine conflict and India manages US tariff pressures and energy-market volatility, Putin’s arrival in New Delhi serves as both a reaffirmation of a historic friendship and a clear geopolitical signal.
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