Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared that his country is "not neutral" on the war in Ukraine, as he hosted a red-carpet welcome for Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi for high-stakes talks.
A Stance for Peace Amid Strategic Ties
As the two leaders opened the 23rd annual Russia-India summit on Friday 5 December 2025, Modi articulated India's position clearly. "India is not neutral – India has a position, and that position is for peace," he told Putin. "We support every effort for peace, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with every initiative taken for peace."
In response, Putin thanked Modi for his efforts and revealed that Russia was working with partners, including the United States, towards a potential peaceful settlement of the crisis. The Russian president's two-day visit, his first to India since 2021, is dominated by the nearly four-year conflict in Ukraine and its global repercussions.
Navigating Global Pressure and Deepening Cooperation
The summit represents a pivotal test for New Delhi's delicate diplomatic balancing act. India faces sustained pressure from Western allies to distance itself from Moscow, yet it is simultaneously seeking to boost longstanding defence and trade ties with Russia.
Putin highlighted expanding areas of collaboration, stating, "New areas are emerging – high technologies, joint work in aviation, space, and artificial intelligence. We have a very trusting relationship in the field of military-technical cooperation."
Key discussion points included:
- Expediting delivery of two remaining S-400 missile defence systems under a $5bn 2018 deal.
- Upgrading India's fleet of Russian-made Su-30MKI fighter jets.
- Enhancing cooperation in energy and labour mobility.
The visit has already sparked a diplomatic reaction. In a rare joint op-ed, the British High Commissioner and the French and German ambassadors to India criticised Russia's "systematic choice... to wage its war of aggression with absolute ruthlessness."
The Sanctions Tightrope and Strategic Calculus
India's continued purchase of discounted Russian oil, despite sanctions from the Trump administration, remains a major point of contention. In October 2025, Washington sanctioned two major Russian oil producers to force countries like India to cut imports. The US has also imposed additional 25% tariffs on Indian imports, raising total duties to 50%.
Analysts see Modi's grand hosting of Putin, which included a rare airport greeting and a bear hug, as a clear signal. Praveen Donthi of the International Crisis Group noted the visit "underscores New Delhi's strategic tightrope walk between the West and the rest, chiefly Russia." He added that India's Cold War-era tilt towards Russia persists, but the significant change is its "desire to be a strategic partner with the US at the same time."
Putin's ability to travel is facilitated by India not being a signatory to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which has issued a warrant for his arrest for war crimes in Ukraine.
The outcomes of this summit are likely to have lasting implications for India's relations with the European Union and the United States, potentially jeopardising critical trade negotiations even as New Delhi reinforces a partnership it deems vital for its defence and strategic autonomy.
