ISLAMABAD: Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to arrive in NewDelhi this week for a two-day state visit, where he will hold summit talkswith Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The agenda includes discussionson bolstering military ties through the potential sale of advanced Su-57stealth fighter jets and an upgraded version of the S-500 air defencesystem. This development underscores the enduring defence partnershipbetween Moscow and New Delhi, even as Western pressures mount.
The bilateral relationship traces its roots to October 2000, when India andRussia formalized their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Thisaccord laid the foundation for extensive military cooperation, encompassingjoint ventures, technology transfers, and arms procurement. Over thedecades, Russia has remained India’s largest defence supplier, providingcritical equipment that has shaped New Delhi’s strategic posture in avolatile region.
During the upcoming summit on December 4 and 5, defence ministers RajnathSingh and Andrey Belousov are expected to delve into specifics of theproposed deals. Sources indicate India seeks at least two squadrons of thefifth-generation Su-57 jets, known for their stealth capabilities andsupercruise speeds exceeding Mach 2. The aircraft could enhance India’s airsuperiority, particularly along contested borders.
Complementing the fighter jet talks, negotiations on the S-500 Prometheussystem aim to fortify India’s layered air defence architecture. Thisnext-generation platform boasts interception ranges up to 600 kilometresand can neutralize hypersonic missiles, ballistic threats, and stealthaircraft. An advanced variant under discussion promises even greaterintegration with existing S-400 units already deployed in India.
These acquisitions reflect India’s drive to modernize its armed forces amidescalating regional threats. With ongoing border frictions and maritimechallenges in the Indian Ocean, New Delhi views Russian technology as areliable bulwark. The deals also signal a push for joint manufacturing inIndia, potentially including full technology transfer to reduce dependencyon imports.
However, the timing of Putin’s visit coincides with renewed US effortsunder the Trump administration to curb India-Russia defence ties.Washington has imposed sanctions on entities engaging with Moscow’smilitary-industrial complex, citing concerns over technology proliferation.Despite this, India maintains its strategic autonomy, balancingpartnerships without alienating key allies.
For Pakistan, these prospective arms sales pose significant securityimplications. The Su-57’s advanced radar-evading features and precisionstrike capabilities could tilt aerial dynamics along the Line of Control,complicating Islamabad’s response to incursions. Analysts warn thatintegration of such jets might necessitate countermeasures, strainingPakistan’s defence budget already burdened by economic pressures.
The S-500’s hypersonic interception prowess amplifies these concerns,potentially neutralizing Pakistan’s ballistic assets like the Shaheenseries in any escalation. Deployed near sensitive borders, it could createa formidable no-fly zone, heightening asymmetry in South Asian deterrence.Pakistani military planners view this as an existential shift, promptingcalls for diversified procurement from China and Turkey.
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Islamabad has long expressed apprehensions over India’s opaque armsbuildup, arguing it undermines regional stability. Diplomatic channelsremain open, yet trust deficits persist. As the summit unfolds, Pakistananticipates monitoring outcomes closely, possibly seeking reassurancesthrough multilateral forums like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
Broader geopolitical ramifications extend beyond the subcontinent. Thedeals challenge the post-Cold War arms control regime, with Russia pivotingeastward to offset Western isolation. For India, they affirm non-alignmentin a multipolar world, while for Moscow, they provide economic lifelinesamid Ukraine-related sanctions.
Energy cooperation will also feature prominently, with discussions ondiscounted Russian crude supplies to India. Trade imbalances, exacerbatedby oil imports, are slated for review, alongside nuclear energy pacts.These elements weave defence into a holistic economic-security framework.
As Putin and Modi convene, the world watches a partnership defyingheadwinds. Rooted in mutual respect since 2000, it navigates contemporaryflux with pragmatism. Yet, for neighbours like Pakistan, the shadow ofenhanced Indian capabilities looms large, urging vigilant diplomacy topreserve fragile peace.
The summit concludes with expected memorandums of understanding, sealingcommitments for future collaboration. In an era of flux, such tiesexemplify enduring alliances, though their ripple effects demand carefulregional calibration.
Source:www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-30/india-said-to-pitch-new-arms-deal-with-russia-during-putin-visit”>https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-30/india-said-to-pitch-new-arms-deal-with-russia-during-putin-visit