PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI & PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN SET TO MEET IN INDIA TODAY

Written by Michael Thervil

PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI & PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN SET TO MEET IN INDIA TODAY | NARENDRA MODI (LEFT) VLADIMIR PUTIN (RIGHT) | PHOTO BY [SERGEI BOBYLYOV/SPUTNIK/POOL VIA REUTERS]

[Narendra Modi Vladimir Putin India] Today in New Delhi, India, Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit Indian prime minister Narendra Modi with the intention of strengthening diplomacy and bilateral trade between their respective countries. With American and the collective west calling for countries to not only isolate Russia, but more importantly to stop their purchasing of Russia oil and gas because of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, countries like India have so far resisted such calls from the collective with by Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that “India will do what's best for India”. the two Leaders are anticipated to have dinner at Prime Minister Narendra Modi residence.

Both Leaders will discuss how to maintain and further their oil and gas agreements as well as how to bolster production in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “India First Campaign” that was started in 2014. President Putin is also anticipated to visit and speak with prominent Indian business leaders, and how to foster the growth and development of India’s industrial capability. India’s arms exporters are also set to meet with President Putin as Russia has granted India a license to mass produce some of Russia's most modern small arms. The two Leaders will also conduct talks regarding the possible sale and purchase of advanced Su-57 fifth generation Russian fighter jets and S-400 missile defense systems. Other items on the agenda are topics concerning agriculture, pharmaceuticals, machinery, and artificial intelligence.

The conversation surrounding oil and gas are expected to be the biggest take-aways as India is struggling to provide and maintain energy amongst its 1.4 billion citizens. For 25 years Indian and Russia have maintained diplomatic ties as both Leaders had agreed to visit each other's homeland every other year. With an estimated $69 billion in bilateral trade between both countries this year, there’s a lot of trade opportunities and industries to be explored by the two Leaders so that a joint effort can be made to balance the few trade imbalances both countries share between each other. Geopolitical analysts from all over the globe believe that India may have a tough time balancing diplomatic relations with Russia as the Americans and their European partners play the roles of agents of chaos on the world stage.