Web Desk (MNN); Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to New Delhi next week for discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where both leaders will review all dimensions of the āprivileged strategic partnershipā between their countries, the Kremlin announced.
India, long a major purchaser of Russian defence equipment and now a key buyer of its oil, has been reducing its dependency on Moscow while simultaneously increasing its domestic defence production. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said India had acquired nearly USD 30 billion worth of US arms over the past decade, and that New Delhi was pursuing greater strategic self-reliance.
Singh said India was diversifying suppliers but would not abandon its defence ties with Russia, noting, āThey have remained our friends through good and difficult times. We have no plans to end defence cooperation, but India maintains a policy of strategic autonomy.ā
Putin last visited India in December 2021, two months before Russia launched its military campaign in Ukraine.
The Kremlin stated that the upcoming visit would allow both sides to evaluate their extensive bilateral agenda and strengthen an already deep strategic relationship.
The U.S. has repeatedly pressed New Delhi to scale down oil imports from Moscow. In August, President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods ā a move Russia described as unlawful commercial pressure on India.
Trade sources noted that Indiaās crude imports from Russia in December are expected to fall to their lowest level in at least three years, following record highs in November, as Indian refiners look for options to avoid Western sanctions.
During the state visit scheduled for December 4ā5, Putin will hold formal talks with Modi and also meet President Droupadi Murmu, while several intergovernmental and commercial agreements are expected to be signed.
