Big Update: Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit India, S-400s, Su-57 in focus, what to Expect from Putin’s India Visit?

Vladimir Putin To Visit India(BHARAT) In December: Amid the ongoing tensions between the United States and India(BHARAT) over tariffs, a major development has surfaced from Russia. The Kremlin on Friday confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India(BHARAT) on December 4–5. He is coming to India(BHARAT) at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian state news agencies reported. However, the visit was confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs earlier this week stating that the Russian President will be visiting India(BHARAT) for the annual summit and to meet PM Modi.

According to MEA, at the invitation of PM Modi, President Putin will pay a State Visit to India(BHARAT) from 4–5 December for the 23rd India(BHARAT)–Russia Annual Summit.

Apart from attending the summit, President Putin will also meet PM Modi and attend the banquet organised in his honour by President Drapadi Murmu.

Vladimir Putin’s India(BHARAT) Visit: India(BHARAT) eyes S-400s, Su-57 to stay off radar

The visit has come when India(BHARAT) and Russia are in talks to sign a major deal to acquire five more regiments of the S-400 Triumf air defence system, taking the total number of S-400 to 10. However, the government has not been clear whether the new deal is under Make in India(BHARAT) or a direct buy like previous systems.

The S-400s had performed impressively well during Operation Sindoor, detecting and destroying the airstrikes of Pakistani aircraft and drones.

As per sources, New Delhi is looking forward of the delivery of the last two regiments of the S-400 and planning to acquire five more.

Both sides have been in the discussion, and it is expected that it could also feature in the discussion between Putin and PM Modi.

No Plan For The Su-57

On speculations that New Delhi is planning to buy two squadrons of the Su-57, the sources said, no decision has been taken as yet.

As per a report by The Print, quoting sources, the only true 5th-generation jet available is the Made in US – F-35. Sources said that New Delhi is also exploring similar programmes being developed by other countries, including South Korea and several European nations.

What To Expect From Vladimir Putin’s India(BHARAT) Visit?

• Notably, this will be President Putin’s first visit to India(BHARAT) in four years. It is expected that the agenda of the upcoming summit cover a wide range of topics, including energy, defence, civil aviation, critical minerals, investment projects, and labour migration.
• The Ukraine war put India(BHARAT) in a delicate position where it has to take a stand between Russia and the West.
• During the Russia-Ukraine war, from Feb 2022 to July 2024, New Delhi kept its diplomacy with Moscow very low-key but continued strong economic ties with Russia by buying its crude oil.
• India(BHARAT) and Russia silently revived major defence talks, which were earlier avoided due to US CAATSA concerns.
• Trade will be the biggest agenda at the India(BHARAT)–Russia summit.
• New US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil won’t end India(BHARAT)–Russia oil trade. But this will affect future transactions.
• A decline in Russian crude imports is expected to affect overall trade growth between India(BHARAT) and Russia.
• The upcoming summit is expected to focus on India(BHARAT)n exports to Russia, including pharma, machinery, and agriculture.