India plans to start discussions towards the purchase of Russian fighter jets and a missile defence shield during President Vladimir Putin’s visit this week, according to people with knowledge of the matter, even as US President Donald Trump’s administration seeks to reduce dealings between the two nations.
India and Russia have a Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership under which discussions for the purchase of Su-57 fighter jets and an advanced version of the missile defence shield S-500 are expected. Sources asked not to be named as the matter is private.
A potential agreement with Russia could complicate any trade deal with the US, which has pushed back against India’s weapons purchases from Moscow. India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Defence did not respond to emails sent after office hours seeking comments.
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has maintained his country’s long-standing ties to Moscow, while pursuing deeper links with the US in recent decades. The country has reduced its overwhelming reliance on Russian weapons by acquiring more arms from the US and European nations.
Moscow remains India’s largest supplier of military hardware despite a significant drop in the purchase of Russian weapons in the four years ending in 2024, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, an independent think tank that tracks global weapons sales.
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