By Juan Verano
New Delhi (EFE).- Russia and India agreed on an economic alliance for the next five years during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi, where he met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Negotiations over Ukraine marked the visit.
As of Friday, the second and final day of Putin’s visit to India, the Russian leader began the day by paying tribute at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the icon of India’s nonviolent struggle.
Putin laid a wreath bearing the Russian flag at the Raj Ghat memorial.
Subsequently, Putin met with Modi at the Hyderabad House in the Indian capital. On Thursday, Modi received Putin at the airport upon his arrival in New Delhi, and the two leaders held an initial meeting at Modi’s residence.
Following the initial greeting, which attracted significant media attention, the two leaders held a brief meeting with the press. During this meeting, Modi conveyed to Putin that India does not maintain a position of neutrality towards the war in Ukraine, yet actively aligns itself in favor of peace.
On Thursday night, in an interview with India Today, a news channel based in India, Putin said he was willing to “liberate” Donbas through military action if Ukraine did not withdraw its troops.
On Friday, Putin confirmed that Russia is negotiating a joint “peaceful declaration” with the United States and others regarding the war in Ukraine.
This statement follows impressions shared on Thursday by US President Donald Trump, who, after his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Putin in Moscow, commented that the Russian leader had shown signs of wanting to end the war. However, he added that a definitive consensus has not yet been reached.
Following an extensive discussion, Modi and Putin announced the launch of an economic cooperation program set to continue until 2030. This initiative aims to strengthen commercial ties between the two countries despite US sanctions.
Modi confirmed that technical teams from Russia and India are working to finalize a free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, a regional bloc led by Moscow, “as soon as possible.”
The goal is to formalize the exchange of goods and establish payment mechanisms using national currencies. It would allow them to operate outside of the dollar-dominated Western financial system.
Moscow and New Delhi reached agreements on migration, health, transportation, the fertilizer market, and customs cooperation.
The energy sector, especially Russian fuel, was also part of the conversations. This sector has been heavily affected by sanctions established by the US and the European Union.
President Putin assured India that Russia is a reliable supplier of oil, gas, and coal and will continue to send fuel “uninterruptedly” to India.
In August, Washington imposed tariffs of up to 50% on Indian products, arguing that New Delhi was enabling Russian crude oil to reach Europe through the “refinery loophole.” EFE
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