The BRICS TimesThe private dinner at the PM’s residence is a reciprocal gesture. It matches a similar event hosted by Putin when PM Modi visited Moscow last July.
Exclusive Meeting Planned
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a private dinner for Russian President Vladimir Putin shortly. The event follows Putin’s arrival in New Delhi on Thursday. This private setting lets the two leaders discuss key issues. The details were shared on Wednesday by people familiar with the matter.
Putin will land in the capital Thursday evening for a state visit. This visit will last slightly over 24 hours. It marks his first trip to India since December 2021. The leaders will hold talks in two formats on December 5. They will meet in a restricted format and with their full delegations. This is part of the annual India-Russia Summit.
Reciprocal Diplomacy and Core Agenda
The dinner at the PM’s residence is a return gesture. Putin hosted a similar event when Modi traveled to Moscow. That trip was for the annual summit last year in July. Sources spoke anonymously about this reciprocal arrangement. They said the informal setting will allow discussion of bilateral and global matters.
Putin will get a ceremonial welcome on December 5. A tri-services guard of honor awaits him at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He will then pay homage at Raj Ghat for Mahatma Gandhi. Following this, the leaders will meet at Hyderabad House. This building is used for high-level meetings. The talks will be in the restricted format and with delegations.
Focus on Trade and Economy
Both nations will finalize several agreements. These agreements focus on trade, economy, agriculture, and academia. The leaders will then attend a business event. FICCI and Roscongress are jointly organizing this event at Bharat Mandapam. This forum is vital for diversifying the bilateral trade basket. Currently, trade significantly favors Russia.
Last year, two-way trade reached about $68 billion. This was mainly due to India buying Russian oil. India’s exports, however, were less than $5 billion. Officials said before the summit that expanding trade is a key focus. They also aim to ensure greater market access for Indian goods in Russia.
Defence Ties and Departure
Putin will formally launch the RT channel in India. This event will take place Friday evening at the ITC Maurya Hotel. He will then attend a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. Following the banquet, he will depart from India.
Signs of deeper defence ties also emerged recently. The Russian Parliament, or Duma, ratified a key agreement on Tuesday. This agreement covers technical and logistical support. It applies to warships and military aircraft of both nations.
Key Defence Pact: RELOS
This logistics pact is called the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS). Indian envoy Vinay Kumar and former Russian deputy defense minister Alexander Fomin signed it in Moscow in February. RELOS outlines procedures for mutual visits by forces. This includes warships and aircraft for joint exercises and humanitarian operations. It simplifies port calls and the use of military facilities. One source noted the pact is similar to the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) with the US.
Russian officials confirmed the summit agenda. It includes military equipment supplies like the S-400 air defense system. The Su-57 combat jet is also on the list. Discussions will also cover small modular reactors for nuclear energy.
