New Delhi: Chinese state media has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit to India, describing it as a “clear message” that neither Russia nor India is isolated, despite Western pressure on New Delhi to scale back trade with Moscow. The visit comes at a pivotal moment, with the United States pressing for a Ukraine peace settlement while simultaneously seeking India’s cooperation in addressing regional security challenges.
Quoting Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, the Global Times reported that the India-Russia partnership is highly strategic and resilient to external interference. Li highlighted that the visit underscores the two countries’ determination to strengthen independent and autonomous capabilities and maintain extensive cooperation despite global pressures. “Through Putin’s visit, India and Russia have jointly sent a clear message to the outside world: neither country is isolated,” Li said. He added that the mutual support and complementarity between the two nations make Western sanctions and pressure unlikely to achieve their intended effect.
The visit also draws attention to potential implications for India’s relations with the United States and the European Union. While India has historically maintained close ties with Moscow, analysts suggest that the timing and optics of Putin’s trip could influence ongoing trade negotiations and agreements that are critical for India’s exports.
In parallel, the US continues to seek closer engagement with New Delhi. A recent US National Security Strategy Report emphasized the importance of improving commercial and diplomatic ties with India and highlighted the need for New Delhi’s active participation in safeguarding Indo-Pacific security. The report underscored continued Quad cooperation with Australia, Japan, and the United States and stressed aligning allies’ actions to prevent domination by any single competitor nation.
Interestingly, the report’s release coincided with Putin’s visit, symbolically underscoring India’s ability to maintain strategic autonomy while engaging with multiple global powers. According to a Bloomberg report, a team of negotiators from the Trump administration, led by Deputy US Trade Representative Rick Switzer, is expected to travel to India next week to continue discussions on a bilateral trade agreement, signaling ongoing US efforts to strengthen economic ties despite India’s Moscow engagement.
Putin’s visit, observed closely by Western capitals, is now being interpreted as a bold assertion of India-Russia strategic alignment, reinforcing the resilience of their bilateral partnership while highlighting India’s independent foreign policy approach in navigating competing global pressures.