Safeguarding India-Russia ties from Trump pressure is top priority for Putin, says Russian analyst

Protecting Russia’s relationship with India from the pressure of the United States administration is a top priority for Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a leading analyst in Moscow. Mr. Putin is set to arrive in Delhi on Thursday (December 4, 2025) for his first state visit to India since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict.

Responding to The Hindu’s queries, Nikolai Plotnikov, Head of the Center for Scientific and Analytical Information at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, described Indian foreign policy as “pragmatist”. The surge in India’s purchases of Russian energy, prompted by the conflict in Ukraine, has given India a “good profit” over the previous three years, he said.

“Our countries are united by many years of friendship and strategic cooperation. Both bilateral relations and collaboration within international organisations are steadily developing. The agenda of the New Delhi talks is driven primarily by the need to adapt to strong external pressure from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump,” Mr. Plotnikov said.

He predicted that eventually, India will not cut down on its imports of Russian crude, as it is to India’s advantage to buy Russian energy. “By purchasing Russian oil, which makes up a substantial share of Indian imports, India earns a good profit. Why would anyone refuse an opportunity to replenish their treasury by accepting advantageous offers?” Mr. Plotnikov asked.

Mobility agreement

Official sources had earlier told The Hindu that India and Russia are expected to sign a deal on mobility during Mr. Putin’s India visit. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the issue at a conclave jointly organised by India’s World magazine and the Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday, saying that intergovernmental agreements on mobility are a “very important part of our diplomacy”.

“We have 21 such agreements, in addition to which we have mobility provisions in some of the free trade agreements that we have done,” Mr. Jaishankar said in his speech.

Russia has reportedly faced a shortage of blue collar workers since the beginning of the Ukraine crisis, as labour forces from Central Asia, Iran, North Korea, and China have not been able to meet the emerging demand. “As a result, Russia has a tremendous requirement of Indian skilled and semi skilled workers and there may be a requirement of half a million Indian workers in Russsia,” said Arif Asalioglu, a Moscow-based analyst who said that support from China and India have been crucial for Russia in facing the pressure of western sanctions since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict began.