Russian President Vladimir Putin has returned to Moscow after a successful visit to India. After Putin's first visit to India since the Ukraine war, US President Donald Trump is facing criticism in his own country. A former Pentagon official has said that India used to stay away from Russia, but because of Trump, the friendship between New Delhi and Moscow has strengthened once again. American analyst Michael Kugelman believes that Putin's visit marks a new beginning of a strong partnership between India and Russia. This is the first time in four years that Putin has visited India. India has supported ending the war with Ukraine. He said that this war has brought Russia closer to China. Kugelman said the visit proved that India would not bow to US pressure on Russia.
Kugelman said in a conversation with NDTV that due to US tariff pressure, India has reduced its oil imports from Russia. However, the visit will give the leaders of the two countries an opportunity to explore new avenues in defense and trade. He said that through this meeting, both Putin and Modi sent a message to the West that pressure will not tear them apart. Before this, PM Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin had met. Together, these three gave a strong message to US President Donald Trump.
Trade with Russia will reduce the deficit
Michael Kugelman said that after Putin's visit, India will intensify its efforts to reduce its trade deficit with Russia. For which India's exports to Russia are expected to increase. Additionally, India and Russia are currently negotiating an arms deal. He said the visit would make the West realize that Russia is not isolated. He said that Russia will be India's largest arms supplier in the future. However, India will reduce its dependence on Russia, as it has been doing for the past few years. Countries like the United States, Israel and France have now become major arms suppliers.
Indian analyst Tanvi Madan said that India has demonstrated its strategic autonomy through Putin's visit. India has shown that it will not allow any other country to veto relations with Russia. India has thus tried to diversify its foreign policy. Madan said that despite this, India has kept in mind the sensitivity of its relations with other important partner countries. As a result, no major arms deals have been announced. It is believed that an announcement will be made later. He said that the Indian government has to face the reality that America, Europe and Japan are very important partners for India. 40 percent of India's total exports go to Europe, Britain and America, while exports to Russia are only 1 percent. Indian Prime Minister Modi told Putin that he supports peace in Ukraine.
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