Tharoor Highlights Strong India–Russia Ties Ahead of Vladimir Putin’s India Visit
Ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India on Thursday, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor underlined the strength of India–Russia relations and called the partnership one of the country’s most important long-standing ties. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Tharoor stressed that the relationship holds deep strategic significance, especially at a time when global power equations continue to shift.
Putin will visit India from December 4–5 for the 23rd annual India–Russia Summit, following an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit is expected to cover defence cooperation, trade, energy partnerships and discussions on regional security developments.
Importance of the India–Russia Partnership
Tharoor said the India–Russia relationship has been built over decades of cooperation in defence, energy, space and other strategic areas. India has relied on Russian support for several key sectors, while Moscow has maintained close engagement with New Delhi across political, economic and global platforms.
He also stressed that India’s foreign policy model prioritises maintaining balance and ensuring independent decision-making. The approach, he said, allows India to work closely with major global powers, including the United States and China, while preserving its own interests.
Strategy in a Changing Global Landscape
As geopolitical tensions rise, India continues to pursue what it describes as strategic autonomy. Tharoor emphasised that India must retain flexibility in its relationships with major countries and avoid allowing external interests to influence domestic decisions. He said that India’s economy and long-term growth cannot be tied to the priorities of any other nation.
The upcoming summit is expected to strengthen cooperation at a time when both countries are exploring new areas of partnership. India has expanded its energy imports and defence discussions with Russia in recent years, even as global sanctions have shifted economic routes and trade mechanisms.
Russia’s Remarks Ahead of the Summit
Ahead of the visit, Russia signaled strong intent to deepen cooperation with India and China. Putin said in Moscow that Russia aims to upgrade long-term partnerships with both countries through major projects in energy, industry, space, agriculture and technology.
The Kremlin also praised its relationship with India, describing it as rooted in history and mutual trust. Russian officials said the partnership remains steady despite global challenges and that Moscow values India’s independent approach on international issues.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople
As India prepares for the latest round of high-level talks with Russia, the focus is once again on maintaining balanced diplomacy amid global uncertainty. The long-standing partnership between New Delhi and Moscow continues to play a central role in defence, energy and strategic cooperation. While India works to strengthen ties with multiple major powers, preserving autonomy in foreign policy remains key to navigating today’s shifting geopolitical environment. The upcoming summit will be an important moment in shaping future cooperation between the two countries.