Putin’s New Delhi Visit Puts India’s Balance Between US and Russia Under Sharper American Scrutiny

Washington (IANS) Major US media outlets have framed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi as a crucial test of India’s diplomatic tightrope walk—maintaining its long-standing strategic partnership with Moscow while facing intensified pressure from Washington.

### **US Media: India Walking a “Delicate Diplomatic Challenge”**

**The Washington Post** described the visit as presenting Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a “delicate diplomatic challenge.”
The paper noted that Modi must reassure Moscow of India’s continued trust **“without riling President Donald Trump,”** who has imposed punitive measures on India for its high-volume purchases of discounted Russian crude, accusing New Delhi of indirectly supporting Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

The Post also highlighted that Indian refiners have already begun **cutting Russian oil imports**, a shift analysts say could significantly reduce Moscow’s wartime revenue.

### **NYT: Modi’s Tarmac Welcome Meant to Send a Signal**

**The New York Times** focused on symbolism. It reported that PM Modi personally receiving Putin at the airport reflects “the strong personal rapport” between the two leaders during a tense geopolitical period.

The Times said India is trying to resolve its **economic tensions with the Trump administration**, which insists that India’s crude purchases have helped fund Russia’s war effort.
It added that trade, defence supplies, nuclear cooperation, fertiliser deals and a proposed labour-mobility agreement are expected to dominate summit talks.

### **WSJ: Putin’s Trip Aims to Protect a Critical Lifeline**

**The Wall Street Journal** called the visit a strategic move by Putin to safeguard a partnership that remains **“an economic and diplomatic lifeline”** for Moscow.

The paper reported that Trump has slapped **50% tariffs** on Indian exports as retaliation for India’s Russian oil imports. New Delhi, it noted, is expected to cut purchases to **one million barrels per day** this month, down from **1.8 million bpd** in November.

According to the Journal:

* Putin is likely to offer **cheap oil** and **new-generation Russian weapons**.
* Indian officials, however, are quietly signalling **no major defence deals** are expected.
* India could still use Russian offers as **leverage in negotiations with Washington**, especially given US laws that sanction countries buying large defence platforms from Russia.

Despite uncertainties around immediate military agreements, the Journal reported that the overall trajectory of India–Russia relations remains **positive**, with both countries seeking to expand trade beyond energy.

### **CNN: Putin Links Delhi Visit to Ukraine War Goals**

**CNN** focused on Putin’s remarks before his arrival in India. Speaking to India Today, he declared that Russia would “liberate Donbas and Novorossiya… by military or other means,” insisting the operation would end only after achieving these objectives.

CNN tied these comments to Putin’s recent meeting in Moscow with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, quoting Trump as later calling the talks “a perfect meeting,” while noting that “it takes two to tango.”

### **Overall US View: A Test of India’s Strategic Autonomy**

Across outlets, the visit is being viewed as a major test of India’s **strategic autonomy**—the policy of maintaining independent relations with all major powers:

* **Russia** remains India’s biggest arms supplier, a legacy of Cold War ties.
* **The United States** is now India’s largest trading partner and a critical defence and technology partner amid China’s rise.

**The Washington Post** reported that New Delhi aims to reassure Moscow that “the fundamentals of the relationship remain strong,” even as India adjusts to new energy realities and American pressure.

Putin’s visit comes at a moment of heightened global volatility—US–Russia tensions over Ukraine, newly tightened sanctions, and shifting oil trade patterns—all placing India at the centre of a complex geopolitical recalibration.

With inputs from IANS