New Delhi — West Asia strategist Waiel Awwad said Thursday that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s persistent appeal to end the Russia-Ukraine war convinces President Vladimir Putin during his upcoming state visit, pressures between Washington and New Delhi over energy purchases and trade could ease.
Speaking ahead of Putin’s two-day stay, Awwad noted that the US has threatened tariffs on Indian imports largely because India continued buying energy from Russia after the conflict began. He said India has already trimmed Russian oil purchases under US pressure and argued that a resolution of the war would give New Delhi more flexibility in managing energy ties and bolstering domestic manufacturing.
Awwad said India must make its position on the Ukraine war clear during the visit. Modi has repeatedly asserted that the world is not an era of war and called for an end to the fighting. If that message resonates with Putin — especially as the United States is also pushing for a negotiated settlement — tensions over India’s trade and energy choices could be reduced, Awwad added.
He suggested that an end to hostilities would allow India greater comfort in trading with Russia and help shore up the Make in India initiative, since the country would have more space to balance energy imports with industrial policy.
Describing Russia as a longstanding and reliable strategic partner over the past seven decades, Awwad urged New Delhi to use Putin’s visit to underline an independent, firm Indian stance on the conflict. He noted that Russian involvement in Indian affairs has historically been supportive of India and that the summit offers a chance to reaffirm bilateral ties.
Putin is due in New Delhi Thursday evening for a two-day state visit and will attend the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. It is his first trip since the Ukraine war began in 2022; his previous visit took place in December 2021.
The Kremlin says the Russian delegation will hold wide-ranging talks with Indian counterparts covering political, trade and economic cooperation, science and technology, and cultural and humanitarian links, as well as regional and global issues. Russian media report that about 10 intergovernmental documents and more than 15 commercial and non-commercial agreements and memorandums are expected to be signed, followed by joint statements.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the visit will let both countries review bilateral progress, lay out a vision for strengthening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, and exchange views on matters of mutual regional and global concern. The report is based on ANI coverage.
