Why Trump Is Closely Watching PM Modi’s Dinner With Russian Prez Putin Tonight

written by Oneindia Desk Thu Dec 04, 6:03 am Source

The visit focuses on energy, defence, and broader strategic cooperation between India and Russia, against a backdrop of US pressure and sanctions concerns. The outcome may influence India’s oil sourcing and technology partnerships while balancing Moscow and Washington.

International

-Prakash KL

By Oneindia Desk

Updated: Thursday, December 4, 2025, 16:33 [IST]

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in New Delhi on Thursday for a summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi that could reshape India’s ties with both Moscow and Washington. It is Putin's first visit to India since the Russia-Ukraine war began nearly four years ago, and comes as the United States steps up pressure over Russian oil and trade.

The dinner meeting between Modi and Putin is expected to focus on energy, defence and wider strategic issues. New Delhi is trying to keep room for independent decisions while facing demands from the United States and relying on long-standing cooperation with Russia for affordable crude, weapons and sensitive technologies.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi for a summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi focuses on energy, defense, and strategic issues, amid US pressure over Russian oil and trade; the leaders last met in December 2021, and this visit could reshape India's ties with both Moscow and Washington.

Why Trump Is Closely Watching PM Modi’s Dinner With Russian Prez Putin Tonight

Putin visit India and strained Russia-US-India triangle

Putin's trip coincides with a tense phase in India-US relations. President Donald Trump has publicly accused New Delhi of indirectly supporting Russia's war by buying discounted Russian crude. At the same time, Washington is negotiating a new trade agreement with India, which adds extra pressure on policymakers in New Delhi.

The main friction point is India's continued purchase of Russian crude at reduced prices. After the Ukraine conflict started, these imports surged and turned India into the largest buyer of seaborne Russian oil. Volumes have dropped recently, though, after sanctions targeted Russian producers Rosneft and Lukoil and the US added surcharges on Indian refiners.

Before 2022, Russian barrels made up only a modest share of India’s crude basket, which was dominated by supplies from the Middle East. The G7 price cap pushed Russian prices lower, and India moved quickly to secure cheaper oil, a step the Biden administration initially tolerated to prevent a sharp rise in global fuel costs.

Now Washington is tightening enforcement and urging refiners to scale back. Russian exporters, under growing strain to find buyers, are offering India heavy discounts. Some December cargoes are quoted at up to 7 dollars per barrel below Brent, showing how sanctions and weak demand are reshaping Moscow’s options.

Issue	Detail
US tariffs under Trump	50% tariffs, with half aimed at imports linked to Russian oil
Russian crude discount	Up to $7 per barrel below Brent for December shipments
Key sanctioned firms	Rosneft and Lukoil targeted by Trump-era measures

Putin visit India and defence, energy ties

India's close relationship with Russia is rooted in decades of defence deals, technology projects and political coordination that began during the Cold War. Moscow still supplies a large share of India's military hardware, provides critical energy, and remains a partner on advanced systems, including possible future cooperation on next-generation fighter jets.

At the same time, the United States is working hard to deepen cooperation with India in areas such as defence, high technology, semiconductors and supply-chain reorganisation. Washington wants New Delhi to cut its dependence on Moscow, especially in the energy and defence sectors. Trump’s 50% tariffs, partly directed at Russian oil-linked imports, underline that message.

For India, the visit is a test of how to manage one of its toughest foreign policy calculations in recent years. Global officials and analysts will watch whether Modi moves to reduce Russian energy imports to ease friction with Washington, or chooses instead to reinforce a long-term partnership with Moscow across oil, defence and strategic technology.

Personal engagement between the two leaders has continued despite the gap in visits. Putin last came to India in December 2021. Modi and Putin met in person on 1 September 2025 at the SCO Heads of State Council Meeting in Tianjin, China, and have held five phone conversations this year, keeping communication channels active.

As Modi hosts Putin for dinner in New Delhi on Thursday, the discussions go beyond routine diplomacy. The choices made on energy, defence cooperation and trade will influence India's economic stability, its security planning and its room for manoeuvre between the United States and Russia in the years ahead.