The India–Russia relationship is “highly strategic in nature and extremely resilient to external pressure or interference,” Chinese scholar Li Haidong told Global Times on Thursday, describing President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi as a clear sign that the partnership remains robust despite global geopolitical turbulence.
Li, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, noted that coordination between the two countries reflects a shared desire to enhance their independent and autonomous capabilities.
Putin arrived in India on Thursday for a two-day visit, beginning with a private dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marks his first trip to India since 6 December 2021. The visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the India–Russia Strategic Partnership, established in 2000, and will see both leaders review the full spectrum of their “special and privileged strategic partnership,” spanning defence cooperation, energy security, trade, and emerging sectors, according to Indian media.
PM Modi and Putin are also expected to discuss developments in Eurasia and the Indo-Pacific, while exploring deeper collaboration in technology, logistics, space, innovation, and new trade routes. Russia’s Tass news agency reported that the two sides anticipate signing 10 intergovernmental agreements along with more than 15 commercial contracts, noting that the visit comes amid European Commission proposals to utilise frozen Russian assets.
Former Indian prime ministerial adviser Sudhindra Kulkarni told Russian news outlet Sputnik that the timing of the summit is “strategically significant amid global pressure,” emphasising that the enduring depth of the India–Russia partnership persists despite shifting geopolitical alignments.
Li Haidong underlined that neither Moscow nor New Delhi appears concerned about Western pushback. “Through Putin’s visit, India and Russia have jointly sent a clear message to the outside world: neither country is isolated,” he said.
“On the contrary, the two sides enjoy extensive mutual support and strong complementarity… This means that sanctions and pressure from the US and the West against Russia and India is unlikely to succeed.”
Bloomberg also reported that India will pay roughly $2 billion to lease a nuclear-powered submarine from Russia. Li added that India is unlikely to “flinch” under US sanctions pressure and will continue shaping its Russia policy strictly according to national interest.
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