NEW DELHI: Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his “friend,” “a reliable person,” and “a man of integrity,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said that although India’s purchases of Russian oil have dipped slightly, overall bilateral trade remains stable. He added that the “Russian oil industry considers its Indian counterparts to be very reliable.”
In an interview with India Today TV, recorded before his departure for India, Putin noted that the US continues to buy nuclear fuel from Russia— including uranium for its reactors— and questioned why India should not enjoy the same freedom to purchase Russian oil.
Putin also highlighted the strength of India–Russia defence cooperation, pointing to technology transfers and joint projects such as the BrahMos missile. When asked whether nuclear cooperation would be part of his discussions with PM Modi on Friday, he confirmed it would, citing the Kudankulam nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu and stressing Russia’s expertise in small nuclear power plants—an area of strong interest for India.
PM Modi’s gesture of personally receiving Putin at the airport on Thursday was notable. The two leaders then travelled together in a Japanese SUV rather than the Range Rover typically used by Modi.
Earlier this year in Tianjin, Modi and Putin had held a 45-minute discussion inside Putin’s car en route to their meeting during the SCO summit. Modi has reserved tarmac greetings for a select group of leaders with whom he shares strong personal rapport, including former US presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump (first term), former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, French President Emmanuel Macron, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, and leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
“Delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin to India. Looking forward to our interactions later this evening and tomorrow. India-Russia friendship is a time-tested one that has greatly benefitted our people,” Modi posted on X.
During their meeting on Thursday, ahead of the annual summit, the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen their “special and privileged strategic partnership,” as well as a range of regional and global issues. Over several rounds of talks across two days, Modi is expected to restate India’s call for an early end to the Russia–Ukraine war—part of India’s delicate balancing act between its ties with Russia on one hand and the US and EU on the other.
India is currently negotiating an FTA with the EU, expected next month, and has invited European leaders for the Republic Day celebrations. Brussels is closely monitoring Friday’s summit, wary of any developments that could complicate its engagement with New Delhi.
Government sources said Putin’s visit is likely to significantly boost economic cooperation. He is accompanied by a large business delegation, and around ten government-to-government agreements—covering healthcare, trade, the economy, mobility, and culture—are expected to be signed. India also hopes to reduce its widening trade deficit with Russia, which has grown substantially due to increased oil imports.
