India and Russia held talks at their annual summit on Friday and announced the finalization of an economic cooperation plan covering 2030.Image credit: Grigory Sysoyev/Sputnik/REUTERS
(Deutsche Welle) Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India on Thursday and was warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi airport. Talks between India and Russia will take place on Friday at their annual summit .
Following their talks, Putin and Modi announced that they had finalized an economic cooperation plan covering 2030, which will help both countries diversify their economies and aim to increase annual trade to $100 billion by 2030. The two countries also emphasized a robust energy cooperation relationship. In the fiscal year ending in March, bilateral trade reached $68.7 billion, but was heavily weighted towards Russia, with India experiencing a large trade deficit and seeking to narrow the gap by expanding exports.
India and Russia deepen economic, trade and energy cooperation
Putin stated, "To achieve this important goal, both sides have agreed on a plan for the development of Russian-Indian economic cooperation up to 2030." He added that agreements to establish a free trade area between India and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), a Russian-led alliance that includes several former Soviet republics, are progressing, "which will help further expand trade growth."
Putin said, "Russia is a reliable supplier of resources needed for the development of India's energy sector. We are willing to continue to ensure an uninterrupted supply of fuel for India's rapidly growing economy."
Prior to the talks, Putin stated that the two countries have a "very trusting relationship" in military-technical cooperation.
Following the talks, Modi stated that both countries would push for an early free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union. He also announced that India would soon begin issuing free e-visas to Russian tourists and tour groups.
Modi pointed out that energy security has long been a cornerstone of India-Russia relations, and the two countries have cooperated on civilian nuclear energy for decades. He stated that such cooperation will continue, while collaboration will be strengthened in clean energy, shipbuilding, fertilizers, and labor mobility.
The United States is pressuring India to distance itself from Russia.
Despite India’s historically close relationship with Russia, critics argue that Putin’s trip could further strain relations between New Delhi and the EU and the US , and could jeopardize ongoing negotiations for major trade agreements with these two key trading partners that are crucial to India’s exports.
In August, US President Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, citing New Delhi's purchases of Russian crude oil at low prices. India is the second-largest importer of Russian crude oil after China.
The United States claims that purchasing Russian oil helps Moscow fund its war machine . In October of this year, the US sanctioned Russia's two largest oil companies, forcing countries including India to reduce imports.
Indian officials stated that New Delhi has always adhered to international sanctions and will continue to do so in its purchase of Russian oil.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the two sides discussed the recent sanctions imposed on Russian oil.
Misri did not specify India’s position on purchasing Russian oil, but said the government’s priority is to meet the energy needs of its 1.4 billion people.
Misri said that Indian private and state-owned oil companies make their procurement decisions based on changing market dynamics and business considerations.
“Cooperation between our two countries continues,” he said.
New Delhi's Balancing Act Under Pressure from the US and Europe
Although the US and India had set a goal of reaching a trade agreement as early as the fall, the agreement has yet to be reached due to tensions between the two countries caused by India's continued imports of Russian crude oil.
Trade negotiations between India and the EU are also nearing completion, while the EU considers Russia's war in Ukraine a major security threat .
Praveen Donthi, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, said that given the current timing and geopolitical context, Putin’s visit to India “highlights New Delhi’s strategic balancing act between the West and Russia.”
He pointed out that India's pro-Russian stance dates back to the Cold War and has remained so under its official "non-aligned" position. "The important change today is that India is also seeking to become a strategic partner of the United States , which will bring diplomatic challenges."
Defense and trade expansion become the focus
Indian officials previously stated that Modi would push Russia to expedite the delivery of two additional S-400 air defense missile systems during his meeting with Putin. India has already received three systems under a 2018 agreement worth approximately $5.4 billion; the delays are attributed to supply chain disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine war.
Misri said the defense ministers of India and Russia met on Thursday.
In a joint statement following the summit, the two countries agreed to promote the joint production of parts and components for Russian-made weapons and defense equipment in India, through technology transfer and the establishment of joint ventures.
The two countries signed an agreement in February this year aimed at enhancing military cooperation, joint exercises, port calls, disaster relief, and logistical support. The Russian State Duma approved the agreement ahead of Putin's visit to India.
India also hopes to upgrade its Russian-made Su-30MKI fighter jets and expedite the delivery of key military equipment.
India also hopes to expand its exports of pharmaceuticals, agricultural products and textiles to Russia and seeks to eliminate non-tariff barriers.
In addition, New Delhi is seeking a long-term fertilizer supply from Moscow.
Another key area where both sides are striving to reach an agreement is the safety and regulation of Indian skilled workers in Russia.
International Criminal Court: Putin's arrest warrant will remain valid even if the US leads peace talks and pushes for amnesty.
Despite the warm welcome he received in India, the fact that Putin is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) remains unchanged. According to Reuters, the ICC prosecutor stated on Friday that even if a full amnesty is granted in US-led peace negotiations, arrest warrants for Russian President Putin and five other Russian individuals will remain in effect.
Mame Mandiaye Niang, a deputy prosecutor from Senegal, and Nazhat Shameem Khan, a deputy prosecutor from Fiji, stated that a UN Security Council resolution is required to suspend arrest warrants issued by the courts.
The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Putin and five other Russian officials , accusing them of atrocities committed during the war since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Putin and Russia's Commissioner for Children's Rights, Maria Lvova-Belov, are accused of illegally deporting hundreds of Ukrainian children.
Russia denies the allegations
Russia refuses to recognize ICC jurisdiction and has repeatedly denied any war crimes allegations.
Other high-ranking Russian officials wanted by the ICC include former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Russian General Valery Gerasimov, who are wanted for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity involving attacks on civilians.
A 28-point peace proposal drafted by the United States and revealed in November has raised concerns among Ukrainian and European officials, who believe it makes concessions to Moscow on several key points. One of these points states: "All parties to the conflict will receive full amnesty for all actions taken during the war."
Ukraine rejects general amnesty
Andriy Kostin, Ukraine's ambassador to the Netherlands and former prosecutor general, rejected a general amnesty. He told Reuters, "...given the sheer volume of atrocities committed over the years, it is impossible to grant immunity to all those responsible, all those who committed or ordered the commission of these crimes."
The ICC is a permanent global war crimes court with 125 member states. Some of the world's major powers—Russia, China, and the United States— are either not members or have openly opposed the court .
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