Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a reliable friend and highlighted the strong partnership between Russia and India, particularly in the oil and defense sectors. Despite a slight decrease in India's purchase of Russian oil, Putin emphasized that overall trade remains steady and that Russian oil companies view their Indian counterparts as very dependable. The two leaders discussed deepening cooperation in nuclear energy, with Putin pointing to ongoing projects like the Kudankulam nuclear plant and Russia's expertise in small nuclear reactors, which India is interested in.

Putin's visit to India was marked by personal gestures from Modi, including a rare airport welcome and a drive together to the Prime Minister's residence. The leaders are expected to sign several agreements in areas such as healthcare, trade, and culture, aiming to further strengthen economic ties and address the trade deficit. The summit comes as India balances its diplomatic relations with Russia, the United States, and the European Union, with Brussels closely observing the outcomes of the visit.