Modi–Putin summit: When Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Delhi on December 4, it will be his first visit to India since the Ukraine war began in early 2022. The visuals will show warm handshakes and familiar smiles, yet behind them lies a complex strategic calculation. The summit is not only about diplomacy; it is about defence, energy and the global financial system.
Read more: Su-57 jets, S-500 shield in focus, India likely to pitch mega arms deal with Russia during Putin visit
At the heart of the visit are two major proposals:
India’s interest in five additional S-400 air defence squadrons A plan to link RuPay with Russia’s Mir payment network and streamline rupee–rouble settlements to keep trade flowing despite Western sanctions. Together, they capture India’s foreign policy challenge in 2025, maintaining its old partnership with Russia without deepening friction with the West.
Why New S-400 Squadrons Still Matter for India’s Security India signed the original $5.5 billion S-400 agreement in 2018, despite warnings under the United States’ CAATSA sanctions law, which targets major defence purchases from Russia. Washington eventually issued a waiver in 2022, acknowledging India’s central role in the Indo-Pacific strategy.
On the ground, India’s threat matrix has barely shifted.
China continues to modernise its air power and missile arsenal. Pakistan remains an unpredictable seconda
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