Overview
- Vladimir Putin arrived in the Indian capital on Thursday for his first New Delhi visit since 2022, receiving a warm welcome from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a private dinner at the premier’s residence.
- Friday’s program includes tributes at Rajghat, a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, summit talks at Hyderabad House, participation in an India–Russia business forum, and a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu.
- A Russian business and government delegation is pursuing expanded commerce, with both sides discussing a path toward $100 billion in trade by 2030.
- Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal called Russia a steadfast partner while urging correction of India’s trade deficit and pointing to potential Russian purchases in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, telecom, industrial components, and labor.
- Security discussions feature possible additional S-400 supplies and Russia’s pitch of Su-57 fighters, as Moscow offers support for Indian defense production and India seeks tariff relief from the U.S., with Putin downplaying the sanctions impact on bilateral trade.