Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to make an official visit to India in December, AFP reported on Friday, citing the Kremlin. The announcement comes as New Delhi faces fresh US tariffs over its continued imports of Russian oil.
Key Details of the Visit
- Bilateral Talks: Putin is expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 2 during a regional summit in China, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.
- Agenda: Ushakov stated that preparation for the December visit will be a key topic during upcoming meetings.
Context: US Tariffs and Energy Trade
- US Action: President Donald Trump recently imposed punitive tariffs on Indian exports, linking them to India’s ongoing purchases of Russian oil.
- Strategic Impact: The sanctions aim to limit Moscow’s revenue from energy exports, a critical source of funding for Russia’s state budget.
India-Russia Relations
- Despite Western sanctions, Russia has redirected oil exports to India and China, maintaining steady revenues.
- Defence Ties: Russia continues to be one of India’s largest defence partners, a relationship that dates back to the Soviet era.
- The December visit is expected to reinforce the strategic weight of the Indo-Russian partnership.
Legal and Diplomatic Context
- Putin has limited overseas engagements since the Ukraine conflict and faces an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.
- India is not a member of the ICC, and thus is not bound to act on the warrant, allowing the visit to proceed without legal complications.
