India and Russia are preparing to announce a slew of major defence and trade agreements during President Vladimir Putin’s expected visit to New Delhi next month, signalling a deepening of strategic cooperation amid shifting global alignments and Western sanctions pressure.
At the heart of the agenda are multiple high-value military projects, including potential production of Russia’s next-generation stealth fighter Sukhoi-57E in India, expansion of the BrahMos missile range, upgrades to the Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi-30 MKI fleet, and additional supplies of S-400 air defence systems.
A comprehensive defence cooperation framework is also under discussion, including reciprocal logistics access to each other’s military bases, according to Indian defence officials.
What is the background to the new deals?
The negotiations come on the heels of Operation Sindoor (May 7–10, 2025), where India successfully used Russian-origin S-400 systems and BrahMos missiles in simulated combat scenarios, demonstrating the continued potency of Moscow’s weaponry in India’s arsenal.
The Indian Air Force now plans to modernise its frontline Su-30MKI fighters with enhanced radars, avionics, and weapons systems, extending their operational life and lethality.
In a major Make-in-India thrust, a Russian team from the Sukhoi Design Bureau recently assessed HAL’s facilities in Nashik, Koraput, and Kasaragod, confirming readiness for local production of the Su-57E if India approves the proposal.
How are Indian firms preparing for the new deals?
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is already preparing an investment plan to upgrade infrastructure and supply chains for the project.
Last month, HAL also signed an MoU with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), a sanctioned entity, to revive India’s dormant civilian aircraft manufacturing sector through licensed production of the Sukhoi SJ-100 regional passenger jet.
How will the economic and energy ties grow?
Beyond defence, Putin’s visit is expected to focus on economic and energy cooperation, particularly efforts to circumvent Western sanctions through alternative financial systems.
According to Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov, whose interview was published in the Indian media on November 9, 2025, over 90% of India-Russia trade settlements now occur in national or alternative currencies, with direct payment mechanisms established to reduce exposure to secondary sanctions.
Alipov emphasised that Russian banks have adapted to sanctions, while Indian credit institutions have developed mechanisms to minimise risks.
What is the progress on a trade deal?
The two sides are also exploring an expanded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, alongside new transport corridors such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Chennai–Vladivostok route, to boost connectivity and logistics efficiency.
Russia has become India’s fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade surging to $70 billion in 2024, largely due to discounted crude oil exports that now account for more than one-third of India’s total imports.
Both nations aim to raise trade volumes to $100 billion by 2030, with greater diversification into agriculture, civil aviation, nuclear energy, and technology sectors, including artificial intelligence, big data, and blockchain cooperation.
Is the arrangement on nuclear, defence sectors moving forward?
In the nuclear domain, Moscow has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding cooperation at Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu, and is offering India small modular reactor technology to help achieve its ambitious 100 GW nuclear energy target by 2047.
On the defence front, Russia continues to support India’s self-reliance initiative (Aatmanirbhar Bharat). Apart from Su-30MKI and S-400 systems, India produces AK-200 series rifles domestically and is building two Talwar-class frigates in Goa with Russian assistance.
Is India taking up the Moscow offer of Su-57 combat jets?
Moscow has also offered to co-develop and locally manufacture Su-57E stealth jets, a move that could accelerate India’s own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.
While concerns remain about Indian nationals joining the Russian military through dubious channels, both governments are coordinating closely to address the issue diplomatically.
Putin’s visit, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the India-Russia strategic partnership, is expected to reaffirm a relationship that has endured decades of geopolitical upheaval, evolving now into a future-oriented alliance built on technology transfers, local manufacturing, and financial sovereignty.