President Vladimir Putin is set to begin a two-day visit to India on Thursday, seeking to deepen defense ties even as New Delhi faces growing US pressure to stop buying Russian oil.
The Russian leader, making his first trip to India since the start of the Ukraine war, will be accompanied by a delegation that includes his Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, with media reports saying a fighter jet deal may be on the table.
Putin is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday for a private dinner, followed by a summit meeting and a business gathering the next day.
Beyond defense, trade relations are expected to be on the agenda as Delhi treads a tightrope, relying on strategic Russian imports while seeking to avoid angering US President Donald Trump amid ongoing tariff negotiations. (AFP)
