Russia, India aim to increase and diversify trade

FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, Sept 1, 2025. - Photo: Sputnik/Pool via Reuters

NEW DELHI: India and Russia want to boost their trade and expand the variety of items in transactions, both said on Thursday (Dec 4) as Russian President Vladimir Putin headed to New Delhi to start a two-day state visit.

Putin's first visit to India in four years aims to increase sales of Russian oil, missile systems and fighter jets and broaden business links between the two countries beyond energy and defence equipment, amid United States pressure on the giant South Asian nation to move away from Moscow.