Putin's Visit to India Highlights Strengthening Ties Amid Global Tensions

Russian President Vladimir Putin received a warm welcome in India during his recent visit to New Delhi for a summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marked Putin's first visit to India since the onset of the war in Ukraine.

According to Professor Sumit Ganguly from Stanford University's Hoover Institution, this visit reflects the ongoing ties between Russia and India, despite pressure from the U.S. for India to distance itself from Russia, particularly regarding oil purchases linked to the financing of the Ukraine war.

Modi faces a challenging balancing act, maintaining strategic ties with Moscow, which remains India’s largest arms supplier, while managing trade tensions with the United States, India's largest commercial partner.

Ganguly emphasized that both leaders have mutual needs; Putin seeks allies amid global isolation, and India is navigating diplomatic relations carefully. The U.S. has imposed tariffs on Indian goods in part due to India's ongoing purchases of Russian oil, exacerbating tensions.

As India promotes a strategy of 'multialignment', the future of U.S.-India relations remains uncertain but is expected to continue despite challenges. This visit underscores the complex geopolitical landscape where nations like India strive to maintain ties with multiple global powers amid ongoing conflicts, particularly the situation in Ukraine, which continues to affect global diplomacy and economic conditions.

Putin's economic challenges at home, including a significant decline in oil revenue and rising inflation, further complicate Russia's position and its relations with other countries like India, which is now cautious about its oil dealings with Russia due to U.S. pressure.

The implications of this visit extend beyond bilateral relations, reflecting the broader geopolitical tensions and the struggle for influence in a rapidly changing world.