The meetings took place during the first visit of India's defence business leaders to Russia since Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine

A political analyst believes India strategically exploited a weakened Russia for oil and technology, another argues the visit was a major diplomatic victory for Putin against Western isolation

Moscow is eager to prevent India’s oil purchases from falling back to near zero—their level before the war. Oil is one of the Kremlin’s largest sources of revenue. India, a net importer of oil, relies on Russia for more than a third of its oil imports, up from just 2% before the war.

Both countries have agreed to expand peaceful nuclear cooperation, advance Kudankulam construction, and explore new Russian reactor projects.

Any potential collaboration with Russia risks setting back plans by Indian defense firms to jointly develop Western arms as part of a push to make India a global manufacturing hub.

The Trump administration, which crippled Russia’s oil sales to India with sanctions, will be watching Mr. Putin’s talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India continues buying discounted Russian oil despite Western sanctions, then exports refined petroleum products to Europe, undermining restrictions.