India is preparing to host Russian President Vladimir Putin for a two-day summit on December 4-5, showing its intent to strengthen ties with Moscow despite punitive tariffs imposed by the United States over India’s purchase of Russian oil.
Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group, said India aims to “maintain its relations with Russia, especially at a time when it sees the United States as unreliable and China as hostile.”
The 23rd India-Russia summit will focus on expanding cooperation across politics, trade, and defence. Kremlin officials have described the visit as important, with Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to discuss their “special and privileged strategic partnership.”
Bilateral trade reached around $69 billion in the fiscal year ending March 2025, heavily favouring Russia due to India’s large imports of discounted Russian energy. Both nations hope to increase trade to $100 billion by 2030, with India planning to boost exports of machinery, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, while Russia offers nuclear technology including small modular reactors.
Defence remains central to the relationship, with India considering purchases of Russia’s Su-57 fighter jets and S-500 missile systems. However, supply chain issues have raised doubts about Russia’s ability to fulfil orders. Bremmer noted, “Russia can barely deliver on the S-400 already on order because of chip shortages,” casting uncertainty on further deals.
The U.S. imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods from August in response to India’s Russian oil imports, accusing India of enabling Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine. India defends its oil strategy as essential for energy security. To ease tensions, India has increased liquefied petroleum gas imports from the U.S. and reduced direct Russian oil purchases, though sanctions circumvention via intermediaries remains likely.
Economically, the lack of a U.S.-India trade pact risks a $20 billion loss in trade surplus, while discounted Russian oil brings an $8 billion advantage.
The visit coincides with U.S.-led efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine. Recent talks in Moscow with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were “constructive” but yielded no breakthrough, according to the Kremlin.
India hopes a settlement will ease international pressure over its close Russia ties while reaffirming its autonomy amid shifting global dynamics.