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COVER STORY DECEMBER 12, 2025 | The Indian Eye 4

PUTIN VISITS MODI

A STRATEGIC

MESSAGE

President Vladimir Putin’s high-profile visit to New Delhi has underlined a central geopolitical truth: India–Russia

relations remain a cornerstone of India’s foreign policy even as the global order undergoes dramatic realignment

OUR BUREAU the India–Eurasian Economic Union
Free Trade Agreement, potentially
New Delhi
unlocking significant market access.
resident Vladimir Putin’s two- Russia has become a critical sup-
day state visit to India — his first plier of discounted oil in the post-
Pin four years — comes at a time Ukraine war period, dramatically al-
when the global landscape is marked by tering India’s energy calculus. Putin
conflict, sanctions, supply-chain frac- reassured India that Russia would
tures, and fierce competition among remain a “steady and uninterrupt-
great powers. Yet amid this turbu- ed supplier” of oil, gas, and coal for
lence, India and Russia have signaled its fast-growing economy. He also
a deliberate choice to consolidate stressed expansion into civil nuclear
a durable, time-tested partnership. energy, including small modular reac-
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tors, floating nuclear plants, and med-
set the tone during the joint statement ical applications — a sign of deepen-
at Hyderabad House, calling the bi- ing technological interdependence.
lateral relationship “steadfast like a Russia’s status as an energy su-
pole star,” rooted in “mutual respect perpower — with the world’s larg-
and deep trust.” The symbolism was est natural gas reserves and massive
unmistakable: a ceremonial welcome oil output — continues to give India
at Rashtrapati Bhavan, tributes at Ra- supply security at scale, particularly
jghat, and Modi personally greeting during global disruptions. Western
Putin on the tarmac — a break from sanctions have squeezed traditional
protocol that reflected political intent. markets for Russian energy, making
The warmth of the personal India an indispensable consumer; this
equation has strategic consequences. economic complementarity is now
Both leaders used the visit to expand driving political convergence.
cooperation across energy, trade, Modi underscored the “win-win”
connectivity, talent mobility, defense, President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Russian President Vladimir nature of this partnership: secure en-
and emerging technologies. The 23rd Putin pose for a photograph during the ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New ergy supplies for India and stable ex-
Annual Summit became not only a re- Delhi on Friday (@MEAIndiaX/ANI Photo) port revenues for Russia.
affirmation of old ties but also a blue- The New Frontiers
print for a more ambitious, future-fac-
ing partnership. country “technologically sovereign.” trust.” That trust, he added, “gives ne striking feature of the
Putin, addressing Indian and This convergence on strategic au- direction and momentum to our joint Modi–Putin discussions was
Russian business leaders, praised tonomy is central to why India–Russia efforts.” Othe emphasis on innovation,
India’s “independent and sovereign ties continue to endure. Both coun- Trade and Energy co-production, and co-creation.
policy,” positioning New Delhi as one tries resist forced alignment. Both ar- Modi highlighted India’s young tal-
of the few global actors capable of gue for a multipolar world. And both major outcome from the sum- ent pool as the “world’s skilled cap-
maintaining balanced ties across geo- see BRICS, the SCO and the “Global mit was the announcement ital,” proposing the development of
of
political divides. He credited India’s South” as platforms for shaping a fair- A an Economic Cooperation a “Russia-ready workforce” through
economic performance — one of the er global order. Programme till 2030, aimed at diver- language and soft-skills training. This
fastest-growing in the world — to poli- Modi echoed this confidence, sifying trade and making investment aligns with Russia’s demographic
cy reforms and initiatives like Make in stating that the “greatest strength flows sustainable. Modi and Putin needs and India’s employment am-
India, which he said were making the of India–Russia relations is mutual also backed the early conclusion of Continued on next page... >>

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