Delighted to welcome my friend Putin, says Modi

Putin calls talks with US on ending the Ukraine war 'useful' but also 'difficult work'

Russian President Vladimir Putin said his five-hour talks with US envoys on ending the war in Ukraine were “necessary” and “useful” but also “difficult work,” with some of the proposals unacceptable to the Kremlin.

Putin's remarks to a private news channel came ahead of his visit to New Delhi on Thursday.

The Russian leader's comments come as US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner are set to meet with Ukraine's lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, on Thursday in Miami for further talks, according to a senior Trump administration official who was not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The high-stakes talks are part of Trump's renewed push to end the nearly four-year war. The peace effort has recently gathered steam, even though reconciling Russia's and Ukraine's “red lines” still appears to be an uphill battle.

Trump said Wednesday that Witkoff and Kushner came away from their marathon session with Putin in the Kremlin confident that he wants to find an end to the war. “Their impression was very strongly that he'd like to make a deal,” Trump said.

Tass quoted Putin as saying in the interview with the Indian channel that at the talks in the Kremlin, the sides “had to go through each point” of the US peace proposal, “which is why it took so long.” “This was a necessary conversation, a very concrete one,” the Russian president said.

There were provisions that Moscow said it was ready to discuss, while others “we can't agree to,” Putin said. “It's difficult work,” he added. (AP) 

Modi’s message on Ukraine could ease US pressure: West Asia strategist Awwad

West Asia strategist Waiel Awwad said on Thursday that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s consistent message of ending the Russia-Ukraine war resonates with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his state visit, it could help reduce mounting US pressure on India over energy imports and tariffs.

Awwad said Washington has been threatening tariffs on Indian goods, particularly because of India’s energy purchases from Moscow, and noted that India has sharply reduced Russian oil imports under US pressure.

“India also has to present its view of the Ukraine war… If that message goes well with President Putin… that will ease the tension on India,” Awwad told ANI. He added that ending the conflict would give India more space to manage energy ties and support domestic manufacturing.

Calling Russia a “faithful strategic partner,” he said India should firmly present its independent position during Putin’s visit.

Putin arrives in New Delhi on Thursday for a two-day state visit and the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit.

Ex-diplomat Shringla says Putin's visit to boost trade, tech and defence ties

Rajya Sabha MP and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India marks an important engagement after four years, noting that the Russian leader is arriving with seven key ministers. Shringla said the talks will place significant emphasis on expanding economic cooperation, including steps to increase Indian exports such as agricultural, marine and engineering goods.

He said discussions are also expected on proposed projects involving a urea plant, collaboration in rare earths, space technology transfer for ISRO’s cryogenic engines, and cooperation in nuclear energy, including small modular reactors.

“The RELOS (Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support) agreement, approved by the Russian Duma, will enhance defence and logistical cooperation. A proposed mobility pact will also allow Indian skilled workers to take up contracts in Russia,” Shringla said.

Putin is visiting India for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit.

(With agency inputs)

Defence, trade to dominate 23rd India–Russia annual summit

The 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit on Friday will bring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin together for wide-ranging discussions on defence, trade and energy cooperation. The summit will review ongoing projects and consider new initiatives to expand bilateral ties.

Strengthening defence cooperation is expected to be a key agenda item, including India’s plans to procure additional S-400 missile systems and other military hardware. Discussions are also likely on ensuring timely delivery of equipment. Cooperation in small modular reactors and broader energy partnership will be taken up. Russia has offered India additional discounts on crude oil following recent fluctuations in supply due to sanctions.

Trade will form another major focus, with India expected to raise concerns over the increasing trade deficit driven by high volumes of crude oil imports. Both sides are preparing several agreements in areas such as trade, labour mobility and defence logistics.

Putin will receive a ceremonial welcome on Friday morning before the summit at Hyderabad House. Modi will host both restricted and delegation-level talks as well as a working lunch for the Russian leader and his team. Putin will also visit Rajghat, launch the India channel of Russia’s state broadcaster and attend a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu.

Putin is scheduled to depart on Friday night.

(With agency inputs)

Rahul claims Govt tells Foreign leaders not to meet LoP ahead of Putin's Visit

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday accused the government of instructing visiting foreign dignitaries not to meet the Leader of the Opposition, calling it a sign of “insecurity.” His remarks came hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit to India for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking to reporters in Parliament, Rahul said it has long been a diplomatic tradition for foreign leaders to meet the LoP, a practice followed under former prime ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh. “Normally, the tradition is that those who come from abroad have a meeting with the LoP… but what happens these days is that when foreign dignitaries come and when I go abroad, the government suggests to them to not meet the LoP,” he said.

Rahul added that foreign delegations often convey that they have been told not to engage with the Opposition. Such interactions, he argued, offer “another perspective,” as “we also represent India.”

He alleged the government prevents these meetings because “it is their insecurity.”

Putin is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi this evening. Friday’s summit is expected to focus on defence ties, insulating bilateral trade from external pressure and cooperation on small modular reactors.

(With agency inputs)

Modi, Putin may seek new oil trade pathways: Ex-diplomat

Former Indian diplomat Mahesh Sachdev said on Thursday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are likely to explore alternative mechanisms to sustain India–Russia oil trade amid intensifying Western pressure, ANI reported. He noted that both countries remain committed to pushing bilateral trade toward the $100 billion target by 2030.

Speaking ahead of Putin’s two-day State visit, Sachdev said such summits “take strategic decisions and set a new direction for the relationship at the highest level.” Referring to Putin’s recent five-hour meeting in Moscow with US envoy Jared Kushner, he said those discussions would form part of the backdrop.

“The two leaders would perhaps be working on how to state this oil equation through other means… The two sides seem to have decided to raise trade to $100 billion by 2030, irrespective of the oil equation,” he added.

Sachdev also said Modi and Putin are expected to discuss broader geopolitical shifts involving Europe, China, the US and South Asia.

Russia’s first Deputy PM Denis Manturov arrives at Parliament

First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov arrived at the Indian Parliament on Thursday as part of the high-level Russian delegation visiting New Delhi ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s summit engagements.

Key India-Russia defence talks set ahead of Putin visit

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov will chair a key session of the bilateral Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s arrival in New Delhi, Russian news agency TASS reported, citing a statement from India’s Ministry of Defence.

The meeting will be held at the Manekshaw Centre in the capital and will review ongoing defence cooperation, including joint manufacturing, technology transfer and long-term capability-building programmes. The commission is also expected to outline priority areas for future collaboration as both sides prepare for high-level talks during Putin’s two-day State visit.

Calling the upcoming session a significant step forward, the Ministry of Defence noted, "This is an important milestone in further strengthening the unwavering Russian-Indian defence partnership."

The defence commission meeting precedes the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, where strategic, economic and defence-related agreements are expected to be finalised.

Russia’s Defence Minister in India ahead of Putin’s visit

Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov has arrived in India on a working visit and will participate in a major bilateral meeting on defence cooperation, Russian news agency TASS reported, quoting the country’s Defence Ministry.

"The Russian Minister of Defence Andrey Belousov has arrived on a working visit to India. The head of the Russian defence ministry will take part in the 22nd meeting of the Russian-Indian intergovernmental commission on military and military-technical cooperation," the ministry said.

According to TASS, the upcoming session will review the outcomes of military and military-technical collaborations undertaken by the two countries over the past year. The commission is also expected to identify promising areas for future cooperation across defence manufacturing, joint technology development, and long-term capability building.

TASS further reported that the agenda includes a discussion on global and regional security issues, reflecting the strategic context in which India and Russia continue to strengthen their defence partnership.

Belousov’s visit comes just ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s arrival for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, underlining the importance Moscow places on its defence ties with New Delhi. Both sides are expected to discuss progress across multiple joint platforms and chart the next phase of military cooperation.

Putin departs for India as major agreements, defence talks on agenda

Russian President Vladimir Putin has left Moscow for his two-day State visit to India, Russian agency TASS reported. The visit, his first since the Ukraine conflict began in 2022, includes wide-ranging discussions on trade, economic and scientific cooperation, as well as cultural and humanitarian ties. Around ten intergovernmental documents and over fifteen commercial and institutional agreements are being prepared for signing.

Putin will arrive in New Delhi this evening for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, held at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will host him for a private dinner. On Friday, Putin will receive a ceremonial welcome and tri-services guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan before paying homage at Raj Ghat. Talks in restricted and delegation formats will follow at Hyderabad House, with agreements expected in trade, agriculture, academia and broader economic cooperation.

The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit offers both sides an opportunity to review bilateral progress and outline the future of the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.” Ahead of the trip, senior Russian officials said the summit reflects a return to annual high-level engagements and may include discussions on additional S-400 systems, Su-57 fighter jets and nuclear energy cooperation. Putin is accompanied by a high-profile ministerial and business delegation.