Last updated:
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi today for the 23rd annual India-Russia summit, which is expected to dominate the agenda of defense cooperation.
PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (PTI/File)
Russian President Vladimir Putin reached New Delhi Today for the 23rd annual India-Russia summit defense cooperation Talks expected to dominate the agenda include S-400 follow-on, S-500 talks and the Su-57 proposal. The visit comes just weeks after the United States approved the sale of new Javelins and Excalibur to India, adding another layer to New Delhi’s ongoing military modernisation.
India is also in an important development $946 million sustainability deal signed With the United States for a fleet of 24 MH-60R “Seahawk” naval helicopters.
What are India and Russia going to discuss on the defense front?
Defense officials from both sides will review wide-ranging programs, particularly air-defense systems, fighter-aircraft modernization and naval cooperation. A central element of the agenda is follow-on cooperation for S-400 Triumf long-range air-defense systems. Following the demonstration of the system during Operation Vermillion, the Defense Ministry in October gave the go-ahead to procure a large number of surface-to-air missiles for the S-400 with ranges of 120, 200, 250 and 380 kilometres.
It is also being reported that, apart from purchasing five more regiments of the S-400 platform, New Delhi is also considering purchasing a more advanced version of this defense system – S-500 Prometheus – from Russia.
ANI At the National Security Summit, Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said, “There is no possible ruling out on S-400, but no announcement is expected during this period. The meeting will focus on broader elements of cooperation on defense between the two sides.”
India and Russia may also hold talks regarding the possibility of purchasing at least two squadrons of Su-57 fighter aircraft. Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov previously said, “The Su-57 is the best aircraft in the world. The Su-57 will be on the agenda.”
According to a report by impressionIndia is considering a bilateral agreement to upgrade its Su-30MKI fighter aircraft and increase the range of the BrahMos supersonic missile. The report also said Russia’s offer of Spruit light tanks and Pantsir air-defense systems is expected to be discussed, although no deal is likely to be signed during the visit.
Another item on the defense agenda is the long-delayed delivery of the leased Akula-class nuclear-powered submarine, originally scheduled for 2025, but now expected only by 2028.
One India Today The report also said that New Delhi and Moscow are expected to explore new cooperation in several defense projects. This will include the 48N6 missile variant, used in the S-400 defense system, which is being assembled in India under the leadership of Bharat Dynamics Limited.
A defense partnership built over six decades of cooperation
India–Russia defense cooperation dates back over sixty years and has shaped much of India’s military inventory, doctrine and industrial capability. It began in the early 1960s, when the Soviet Union stepped in as a reliable supplier of fighters, transport aircraft, and missiles when Western sources were reluctant. The MiG-21 assembly line, launched in 1962, became one of India’s earliest examples of large-scale defense localisation.
During the 1970s and 1980s, this support expanded with the lease of Su-7s, T-72 tanks, air-defense systems, naval platforms and, in 1987, India’s first nuclear-powered submarine – a milestone that demonstrated an unusually high level of strategic trust. After disruption in the 1990s, relations accelerated in the 2000s with the delivery of the Su-30MKI production line, frigates and submarines, and the launch of the BrahMos joint-development project.
BrahMos remains India’s most successful bilateral missile programme, and its continued upgrade reflects the enduring depth of technological cooperation.
The long legacy explains why Russian-origin systems are still a large part of India’s military structure today – including the Su-30MKI fleet, T-72 and T-90 tanks, Kilo-class submarines, S-300/400 regiments and a vast array of missiles, sensors and engines. Maintaining these platforms requires constant access to overhaul facilities, spares, engine upgrades, missile reloads, and integration support. These cannot be replaced by Western systems overnight, which is why India’s engagement with Russia today is based on practical capability requirements rather than nostalgia.
Why is this visit taking place amid a challenging geopolitical moment?
Putin’s visit Takes place against a complex external backdrop. ukraine war reshaped global supply chains; Western sanctions have restricted Russia’s financial channels; And Moscow’s dependence on China has increased, even as its own uneasiness about over-dependence grows. Russia has sought to diversify its partnerships in Asia and India is a central part of this effort. Both sides continue to explore options such as the Chennai-Vladivostok maritime corridor to expand connectivity and reduce Russia’s dependence on routes passing through Chinese spheres of influence.
At the same time, India-US relations are experiencing tensions. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly argued that India’s purchases of Russian crude “fund the Ukraine war” and imposed a 25 percent tariff on Indian goods, which was later followed by an additional 25 percent tariff specifically linked to India’s Russian oil imports. India is currently the only country facing a combined 50 per cent tariff burden. New Delhi has significantly reduced its intake of Russian crude in recent months, but has also made it clear that energy options fall within its sovereign economic zone.
This broader environment necessitates multi-alignment diplomacy. India wants to maintain long-term defense continuity with Russia, absorb tariff pressure in its relationship with the United States, and ensure that Moscow’s growing rapprochement with Beijing does not diminish India’s strategic space. Tariff friction, sanctions pressure and changing alliances all create the context in which this travel is taking place.
How is India balancing defense relations with Russia and the United States?
India’s defense partnerships today are shaped by the need for diversification, capability requirements and supply-chain flexibility. Russian-origin platforms that once accounted for 70-80 per cent of India’s inventory fell to about 36 per cent over the 2019-2023 period, with imports from the United States, France and Israel rising in parallel. The change comes as Washington tightens tariff measures linked to Russian oil purchases.
Despite this, defense cooperation with the US continues to expand. India has signed a $946 million continuation agreement with the United States for its fleet of 24 MH-60R “Seahawk” naval helicopters. Focused on naval aviation maintenance, spare parts, training and technical assistance, the package aims to enhance the maritime reach of the Indian Navy, improve interoperability with US forces and regional partners, and further strengthen bilateral defense ties. The timing of the agreement is particularly significant as it comes just ahead of Putin’s visit.
In November, the US approved a US$93 million package for 216 Excalibur projectiles and 100 Javelin missiles, describing the sale as strengthening India’s long-term security needs.
India remains an indispensable defense partner for Russia. While Moscow has publicly stressed that it respects India’s autonomous decision-making, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia “admires” New Delhi’s sovereign approach and wants a partnership “free from the influence of any third country.” Washington has also acknowledged that India’s defense ties with Russia are historically rooted and predate the current geopolitical tensions.
Overall, these strands reflect India’s multi-alignment strategy: maintaining decades-old high-value cooperation with Russia while expanding advanced procurement and technology partnerships with the United States.
India’s strategic autonomy on full display
Rather than being pushed into a binary choice, India is shaping a defense architecture based on autonomy, capability and diversification. The result is a balanced, flexible defense posture consistent with India’s broader national priorities, and a clear demonstration that India’s global activities are firmly under its control.
04 December, 2025, 12:04 IST
read more
