Putin’s India Visit to Deepen Strategic Ties, Boost Trade and Nuclear Cooperation: Kremlin

New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forthcoming visit to India will deliver “significant outcomes” across strategic, defence, energy, nuclear, and trade sectors, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

Speaking during an online media interaction organised by Sputnik News at the India Habitat Centre, Peskov said the visit will further strengthen a partnership built on “mutual understanding, cooperation, and a shared vision of global affairs based on the rule of law.”

Highlighting the long-standing nature of the relationship, Peskov noted that Russia has stood “shoulder to shoulder” with India at crucial stages of its development.

Strategic and Defence Cooperation

Peskov acknowledged that strategic and defence cooperation remain “sensitive areas,” but stressed that Russia is prepared to share its deepening expertise in various fields, including emerging technologies.

He confirmed that discussions during President Putin’s visit are expected to cover defence platforms such as the S-400 missile defence system and the Sukhoi-57 fighter jets. Currently, Russian-origin systems account for 36 per cent of India’s defence imports.

Energy and Nuclear Collaboration

Energy cooperation will be a central theme, with Peskov stating that Russia continues to supply energy to India at competitive prices — a “mutual benefit.”

On nuclear cooperation, he highlighted ongoing projects and future plans, adding that Russian support has helped create “a separate sectoral ecosystem” within India’s nuclear industry.

Trade: Targeting $100 Billion

India–Russia bilateral trade has already reached $63 billion, with both nations targeting $100 billion by 2030.
Peskov admitted that “some actors” — an indirect reference to the United States — are attempting to obstruct bilateral trade.

To correct the current trade imbalance, Russia plans to increase imports from India. A joint business congress will convene a day before Putin’s arrival to identify opportunities for expanding Indian exports to Russia.

Geopolitics and Global Issues

Peskov praised India’s balanced stance on the Ukraine conflict, invoking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s well-known remark that “this is not an era of war.” He said Russia values India’s willingness to consider Moscow’s viewpoint, especially in contrast with Europe, where dialogue has stalled.

He confirmed that negotiations involving US interlocutors are ongoing and reiterated Moscow’s openness to peaceful settlement initiatives.

On Russia’s burgeoning ties with China, Peskov stressed that both partnerships — with India and China — are strong but independent, saying Russia seeks cooperation with China only “as far as India allows.”

Connectivity, Maritime Corridors, and Currency Trends

Peskov said discussions may also include:

• The Chennai–Vladivostok maritime corridor

• Cooperation at Iran’s Chabahar Port

• De-dollarisation trends, amid rising global interest in using national currencies due to “unpredictability” in the international system

Counter-Terrorism Commitment

Condemning the recent blast in Delhi, Peskov reaffirmed Russia’s consistent solidarity with India against terrorism and stressed the need for stronger global cooperation in combating it.

With inputs from IANS