PM Modi to Host Private Dinner for President Putin Ahead of 23rd India-Russia Summit

On Friday, Putin will be accorded a ceremonial welcome before the 23rd India-Russia summit.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a private dinner for Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, shortly after his arrival in Delhi. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral strategic and economic partnerships amid tense relations between India and the United States.

The summit meeting between PM Modi and Putin on Friday is expected to focus on enhancing defense cooperation, protecting India-Russia trade from external pressures, and exploring collaboration in small modular reactors. Western capitals will likely monitor these discussions closely.

Following the 23rd India-Russia summit, both nations are anticipated to finalize several agreements, particularly in trade sectors.

As the Russian leader visits India during renewed American efforts to end the Ukraine conflict, this issue will likely feature prominently in their discussions.

President Putin is expected to arrive in New Delhi around 4:30 pm on Thursday. Later that evening, PM Modi will host a private dinner, reciprocating Putin's similar hospitality during the Indian prime minister's visit to Moscow in July last year.

On Friday, Putin will receive a ceremonial welcome before the formal summit begins. PM Modi will also host a working lunch for the Russian delegation at Hyderabad House, the summit venue.

Putin's schedule includes a morning visit to Rajghat, according to sources familiar with the arrangements.

After the summit, Putin will launch the new India channel of Russia's state-run broadcaster, followed by attendance at a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu in his honor.

The Russian president is scheduled to depart India around 9:30 pm on Friday, concluding his approximately 28-hour visit.

During the summit talks, New Delhi is expected to address the growing trade imbalance resulting from India's substantial purchases of Russian crude oil.

Putin's visit comes at a time when India-US relations are experiencing their most challenging period in two decades, following Washington's imposition of a 50 percent tariff on Indian goods, including 25 percent levies related to India's procurement of Russian crude oil.

The impact of American sanctions on India's Russian oil imports is likely to be a key topic of discussion.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged on Tuesday that India's Russian oil purchases might temporarily decline due to Western sanctions, but emphasized that Moscow is taking measures to enhance supplies.

At the summit, Putin is expected to brief PM Modi about recent US initiatives to resolve the Ukraine conflict. India has consistently maintained that dialogue and diplomacy are essential for ending the war.

Following their talks, the leaders are expected to sign numerous agreements, including one facilitating the movement of Indian workers to Russia, and another on logistical support within a broader defense cooperation framework.

Under trade arrangements, Indian exports to Russia are projected to increase significantly in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food products, and consumer goods, addressing concerns in New Delhi about the substantial trade deficit favoring Russia.

India's annual imports from Russia amount to approximately USD 65 billion, while Russia's purchases from India total around USD 5 billion. Officials indicate that India is also seeking to strengthen cooperation in the fertilizer sector, with Russia currently supplying three to four million tonnes of fertilizers to India yearly.

The two sides may also discuss India's proposed free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union.

Prior to the summit, defense ministers from both countries will hold comprehensive discussions on Thursday, likely focusing on India's plans to acquire additional S-400 missile systems and other critical military hardware from Russia.

The S-400 missile systems have demonstrated remarkable effectiveness during Operation Sindoor. Senior military officials note that the overall aim is to further expand the already close defense and security relationship, with particular emphasis on ensuring prompt delivery of military equipment from Russia to India.

In October 2018, India finalized a USD 5 billion agreement with Russia for five units of S-400 air defense missile systems, despite warnings from the US that proceeding with the contract could trigger sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

Peskov mentioned potential discussions about Russia supplying Su-57 fighter jets to India, as India is currently in the process of acquiring fifth-generation fighter aircraft. Main contenders include Dassault Aviation's Rafale, Lockheed Martin's F-21, Boeing's F/A-18, and the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Strategies to strengthen bilateral energy cooperation are also expected to feature prominently in the summit. Reports indicate Russia has offered India additional discounts on crude oil purchases.

This offer follows a recent decline in India's Russian oil imports after the latest wave of US sanctions against two Russian oil producers.

India and Russia maintain a mechanism where the Indian prime minister and Russian president hold annual summit meetings to review their comprehensive relationship. To date, 22 annual summits have taken place alternately in India and Russia. The Russian president last visited New Delhi in 2021.

PM Modi traveled to Moscow for the annual summit in July last year.

Russia remains a time-tested partner for India and a fundamental pillar of New Delhi's foreign policy.