Modi-Putin Meet-Up: 5 Key Takeaways

In the recently concluded 22nd annual summit between India and Russia, significant agreements have been signed for trade, defence, and civilian security cooperation. While the World powers view the Modi-Putin Meet-Up with apprehensions, Indians and Russians must look forward to 5 major developments.

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With long-standing concerns regarding the illegal employment of Indian migrants in the Russian army against Ukraine, the recent Modi-Putin meet-up promised a sigh of respite. Besides the Russia-Ukraine war, the two leaders also discussed the rising incidents of global terrorism, making shielded remarks on both Pakistan and China. Several agreements for trade and defence collaboration have also been signed. Here are 5 key takeaways from the meeting.

5 takeaways from the Modi-Putin meet-up

1. Economy and Trade

The decades of India-Russia ties for weapon exchange saw a diversification at the summit. With a $100 billion trade target for 2030, promises have also been made for jointly bolstering trade infrastructure, green energy transitions, and agricultural productivity. Major aims include usage of national currencies to counter ‘sanctions of the West’, reduction of customs procedures to remove non-tariff barriers, usage of alternative trade routes including the North-South Transport Corridor (a dream project for India), and industrial manufacturing collaboration. 

2. Ukraine War and Indian Recruits

Making headlines is Putin’s agreement to relieve “all Indians” employed at the warfront in Ukraine from the Russian side. Several job-seeking youngsters from India were lured with high packages to migrate into Russia, and were eventually sent into the army. With deaths and injuries mounting, the Indian government had been facing high pressure to bring back the recruits- whether or not registered with the embassy. The return of such migrants comes along with compensatory promises for the families of deceased soldiers. They can claim 1.3 crores of compensation from the Russian government, citizenship, and free education for minors.

3. Defence Cooperation

Agreeing to create a new Working Group on Technological Cooperation, India and Russia plan to establish joint manufacturing ventures for weapons within the Indian territory. The process shall involve transfer of technology, co-development of parts with shared costs, and cooperation for joint military activities. Such co-production is hoped to reduce the supply delays.

4. Condemnation of Terrorism

Referring specifically to the Kathua and Dagestan terror attacks, and generally to the global instances of violent extremism, the two sides issued joint statements condemning international funding and support to terrorist groups, as well as their linking with religion. They have expressed support for combat actions, and UNSC’s anti-terror summits.

5. Energy Cooperation

India-Russia trade regarding coking coke was discussed in the meet, with possibilities of anthracite export being noted too. Simultaneously, technology collaboration for a shift towards climate resilient energies was also proposed. Cooperation in nuclear energy production for peaceful usage, along with exchanges between ISRO-Roscosmos have also been reviewed in positive light.

How has the world viewed the Modi-Putin meet-up?

In face of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, USA has been expressing concerns about deepening of India-Russia ties through the meet-up. Defence and trade collaborations between the two countries might become major points of contention for the West. China has attempted to exploit the concerns for representing the USA’s apprehensions as much greater than its own. Pentagon Press Secretary however, has expressed that despite its concerns, the USA continues to view India as an important strategic partner. The two countries had recently promised cooperation in areas of mineral technology at iPEC, and climate action at G7.

Ukraine, on the other hand, has strongly condemned the meet-up. President Zelensky has termed the embrace “disappointing” in light of the ongoing Russian assault over Kyiv. PM Modi, however, expressed that he unequivocally asked the Russian president to strive toward peace.

What does the Modi-Putin meet-up mean for you?

While the meet-up promises enhanced trade, cultural, and educational opportunities for Indians with the country’s age-long partner, the impacts of the meet-up must be viewed with guarded applause for now. The returnees from the Russian war are still awaited, and the balancing rope between Russia-USA is yet to be observed.