Namo's India remains 'unfazed' by Trump's punitive sanctions and tariffs : New Delhi to host Russia’s Putin .... Oil cooperation to continue ... Both sides eye deepening defence and civil Nuke cooperation

Russian President Vladimir Putin will be in India on Dec 4-5 for the 23rd India-Russia annual summit.

The US has accused India of importing Russian oil and reselling it in the open market for a “significant profit,” enabling Moscow to fund its aggression. 

The countries are likely to extend cooperation in defense and civil nuclear sector.

India-Russia aim to expand bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030 from $68.7 billion in fiscal year 2025.

India could ramp up its shipments of machinery, chemicals, food and pharmaceutical products to Russia, while Moscow is pitching its technological solutions for civilian nuclear energy, including building small modular reactors in India.

The two old strategic partners are also seeking to compensate for India’s reduced purchases of Russian oil by diversifying their trade relationship to other areas, including defense and civil nuclear cooperation.

The two leaders are likely to discuss India’s purchase of Russia’s next-generation Su-57 fighter jets and its advanced S-500 missile defense shield, 

Of course, this is an annual exercise. Vladimir Putin's visit was planned before US-India ties touched the troubles and soured region; nevertheless the Russian Presidents visit signifies that New Delhi is not beholden to the whims of the Trump administration.  

It's a typical case of 'Modi hae toh Mumkin hae'.  It is the assertion of a confident India and its declaration globally that it will maintain an independent foreign policy.

Kremlin said last week that Putin’s visit was of “great importance” with the Russian president and Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to discuss the “scope of Russia-India special and privileged strategic partnership in politics, trade and economy” and also other issues.

The two leaders are certainly expected to issue a joint statement. A wide range of bilateral interdepartmental and business agreements are also on cards.

PM Modi and Putin met in September on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China. They held an hour-long discussion in the Russian leader's limousine.

Earlier this month, PM Modi conveyed his greetings to Putin when the Russian president's aide, Nikolai Patrushev, called on him in Delhi. The PM also said that he looked forward to hosting Putin in India next month.

India and Russia share a strong relationship with bilateral trade and investment ties dating back to the Soviet era. 

The two countries have strengthened economic cooperation over the years, with Russia emerging as one of India's top arms suppliers. India has also been one of the biggest importers of Russian oil.

Trump had blamed India's purchase of Russian oil for funding their war against Ukraine. Putin's visit could mark a pivotal moment in India's geopolitical strategy, strengthening the resilience of Indo-Russian relations even as New Delhi navigates its complex ties with Washington.

India has been under pressure from the U.S. to cut back on its imports of Russian oil as Washington claims this enables Moscow to withstanding pressure of economic sanctions by the West and continue its war against Ukraine.

New Delhi incurs an additional 25% levy, on top of 25% tariffs on its exports to the U.S. as a “penalty” for its purchases of Russian energy. The 50% U.S. tariffs on Indian goods, amongst the highest on any country, came into effect on Aug. 27.

New Delhi has said that its oil imports are based on the “objective of ensuring energy security of 1.4 billion people of India.”