Modi to Putin: India Stands for Peace; Both Underscore Strategic Autonomy Amid Global Power Shifts
In a highly choreographed display of diplomatic warmth and strategic alignment, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held bilateral talks in New Delhi this week. Together the Russian President and the Indian Prime Minister sent a clear signal of continuity and deepening ties between the two long-standing partners even as global tensions mount over the ongoing war in Ukraine and shifting geopolitical alliances.
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| PM NaMo welcoming President Vladimir Putin at Hyderabad House |
“India is on the side of peace,” Modi said firmly, reiterating New Delhi’s consistent message throughout the Ukraine conflict.
“The welfare of the world is only through the path of peace… together, we must look for the pathways to peace.”
Putin, addressing the crisis directly, thanked Modi for his attention to the matter, noting ongoing efforts involving “some partners, including the US,” toward a peaceful resolution.
“Our ways are deeply rooted in history, but it is not the words that matter; it is the substance of the matter, which is very profound,” he said.
Both leaders exchanged views on the evolving international order, with Modi affirming that India–Russia friendship was like the Dhruva star — “steady, constant, and guided by mutual respect and deep trust.”
Putin responded by saying that Modi had “done a great deal of work to develop our relationship,” and highlighted new areas of cooperation including space exploration, artificial intelligence and advanced defence technologies.
The summit took place against a complex global backdrop. Washington’s imposition of high tariffs on Indian goods — a move seen by some observers as direct pressure over New Delhi’s continued procurement of discounted Russian crude — has cast a shadow over India–US ties.
Simultaneously, India’s strategic autonomy doctrine remains central to its foreign policy, and the engagement with Moscow reflects a continuation of that approach.
Trade and defence cooperation formed key parts of the closed-door discussions. The leaders announced an economic cooperation roadmap until 2030 and reviewed multiple agreements across sectors including energy, defence and digital innovation.
Analysts say India’s push to rebalance its trade deficit with Russia — with current bilateral volumes nearing $70 billion — will likely see a stronger Indian export footprint in the coming years. A target of $100 billion in trade by the end of the decade is now under serious consideration.
Putin emphasized that Russia does not see its partnership with India as transactional, but strategic in nature.
“It is a different level, a different quality of relations we have with India, and we value this,” he said, also noting Moscow’s readiness to support India’s growing defence manufacturing ambitions.
On the sidelines of the summit, the two sides also reaffirmed their intent to deepen cooperation in nuclear energy, including the delivery of fresh fuel for India’s Kudankulam plant, and to explore collaboration in new domains such as artificial intelligence and service trade.
Analysts suggest this expanding canvas reflects a deliberate effort by both sides to future-proof the relationship against external shocks and sanctions.
A significant element of the visit was its symbolic depth. Putin laid a wreath at Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and signed the visitors' book, underscoring the shared history both nations often invoke in their diplomacy.
Modi, in turn, presented a copy of the Bhagavad Gita translated into Russian to the visiting leader — a gesture that underscored both personal rapport and cultural resonance.
Modi remarked that the relationship between the two countries was crossing historic milestones, recalling that 25 years ago, Putin had laid the foundation of the strategic partnership.
Both leaders appear keen to preserve and adapt that foundation in a rapidly changing global landscape.
While the leaders avoided direct public references to Western pressure or geopolitical block dynamics, the messaging from New Delhi was unambiguous.
“Trust is a great power,” said Modi, alluding to India’s frequent communication with Moscow since the start of the Ukraine war. “As a true friend, you made us aware of everything from time to time.”
Observers say the optics of the visit — from Modi breaking protocol to greet Putin at the airport, to the leaders riding together in the same vehicle — underscore the political capital invested in the relationship by both sides.
Even as India seeks to expand its strategic ties with Western democracies, the summit reaffirmed its longstanding, differentiated approach toward Russia.
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