Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit to New Delhi has been portrayed by Chinese state media as a strong signal that Russia and India remain connected on the global stage. The visit comes as Western nations urge India to scale down trade with Moscow and support efforts aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
Chinese scholar Li Haidong said the meeting showed that India and Russia want to strengthen their independent decision-making. He noted that their long-standing partnership remains firm despite outside pressure. He added that Western sanctions were unlikely to disrupt the relationship because both countries benefit from deep cooperation.
The visit has drawn attention in Washington, where officials are working to repair trade ties with India after past disputes. A new US National Security Strategy report stressed that India’s role in the Indo-Pacific is vital and called for stronger commercial engagement. The US wants India to align more closely with allies in the region through Quad cooperation.
The timing has raised eyebrows, as Putin’s presence in Delhi comes while the US seeks wider support against strategic rivals. Meanwhile, a US trade delegation will arrive in India next week to continue negotiations on a long-pending agreement.
