Putin and Modi to discuss Russia-India trade and defence ties amid US pressure

Video Description

(5 Dec 2025) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS New Delhi - 5 December 2025 1. Ceremonial horses 2. Indian flag atop Indian Presidential Palace 3. Wide of Russian President Vladimir Putin walking towards dais, ceremonial guards salute 4. Various of Putin, ceremonial guards, Russian and Indian officials during the playing of the national anthems of Russia and India 5. Various of Putin inspecting guard of honour 6. Putin shaking hands with Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Indian officials 7. Wide of officials 8. Murmu and Modi shaking hands with Russian officials as Putin introduces them 9. Putin, Modi and Murmu walking away 10. Ceremonial horses at the Indian Presidential Palace STORYLINE: Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday at an annual summit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties on the second day of his state visit. Putin was treated to a guard of honour on Friday at the Indian Presidential Palace where he also met with Indian President Droupadi Murmu. The 23rd Russia-India Summit comes at a pivotal moment as the United States pushes for a Ukraine peace deal while seeking global cooperation. They will test New Delhi’s efforts to balance relations with Moscow and Washington as the nearly four-year conflict in Ukraine grinds on. Putin was received by Modi at an airport in New Delhi on Thursday, who gave the visiting leader a bear hug and a tight handshake with the gusto of an old friend. According to Indian officials involved in the preparation for the summit, the agenda includes talks on defence, energy and labour mobility. While India has historically maintained deep ties with Russia, critics say Putin’s visit could strain relations with the European Union and the United States and might jeopardize negotiations for major trade agreements with both that are seen as critical for India’s exports. U.S. President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50% in August, citing New Delhi's discounted Russian oil. India has been the second biggest importer of Russian crude after China. The U.S. says purchases of Russian oil help finance Moscow’s war machine. In October, U.S. sanctioned two of Moscow’s biggest oil producers to force countries like India to cut down on imports. Indian officials have said New Delhi has always abided by international sanctions and would do so in the case of Russia oil purchases as well. India and the U.S. set a target for the first tranche of a trade deal by the fall, but the deal hasn’t come through yet amid strains in relations. India is also in the final stages of talks on a trade agreement with the EU, which sees Russia's war in Ukraine as a major threat. Talks are also expected on upgrading India’s Russian-made Su-30MKI fighter jets and accelerating deliveries of critical military hardware. Putin last visited India in 2021. Modi was in Moscow last year, and the two leaders briefly met in September in China during a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. AP Video by Rishi Lekhi =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/95ec762ae09443839b880f63df17ffd6