India faces a diplomatic paradox: it wants BRICS to become a stronger voice for the Global South without allowing it to become an anti-US/anti-Western bloc dominated by China and Russia
Major US media outlets cast the Modi–Putin summit as a high-stakes test of India’s strategic balancing act, highlighting pressures over Russian oil, Washington’s geopolitical expectations, and the personal chemistry between the two leaders as New Delhi navigates ties with both Moscow and the West.
Russian President Vladimir Putin began a 27-hour visit to India on Thursday, warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders will hold the 23rd India-Russia Summit, focusing on defence, energy, trade, Russian crude procurement, and strategic geopolitical issues
Washington is closely tracking the Modi–Putin summit in New Delhi, with US analysts examining the optics, defence and energy outcomes, and potential White House reaction. Experts say the response will depend on India’s public embrace of Putin and the deals concluded.
India and Russia will hold high-level defence talks on Thursday, focusing on faster delivery of military equipment, additional S-400 missile systems, upgrades to Sukhoi-30 jets, and potential Su-57 purchases, ahead of the Modi-Putin summit in New Delhi
