Russia recently indicated it is open to manufacturing the Su-57 in India under a transfer of technology (ToT) arrangement. Amitabh Singh, Associate Professor at JNU, said this offer is not a sudden reaction to India’s growing defence ties with the US or France, but part of a decades-old pattern of deeper technological collaboration.
“Russia generally gives licensing rights, production rights and transfer of technology for defence components, even entire defence products,” Singh said, noting that joint platforms such as the BrahMos missile are already being sold to countries like the Philippines and Armenia. “That’s why we prefer Russian defence commodities, and for years we have been doing that,” he added.Singh contrasted this with Western partners, pointing out that even the US-India agreement on GE engine manufacturing includes restrictions that prevent India from exporting the engines. Russia, he said, offers far more flexibility and long-term capability development.
Tatiana Kukhareva, senior Russian journalist, echoed the sentiment that the India-Russia partnership has held firm despite significant geopolitical pressures. “This partnership has proven itself to be a staple for the Global South — two states unafraid to stand up for their own and each other’s national interests,” she said.
She added that both nations prioritise their own strategic autonomy: “We must remember that the American administration will always operate on the concept of ‘America First’. Similarly, for Prime Minister Modi and President Putin, it has always been about ‘India First’ and ‘Russia First’.”
The timing of the renewed push in defence ties comes as India negotiates a trade deal with the United States under the Trump administration, amid concerns about tariffs and energy supplies. Despite India reducing its Russian oil purchases and agreeing to buy 10% of its LPG from the US, Kukhareva argued that New Delhi remains firm in protecting its interests. “Prime Minister Modi is not going to agree to any deal that is not in India’s interest,” she said.
Singh added that hosting President Putin during sensitive trade negotiations with Washington should not be viewed as unusual. He emphasised that annual India-Russia summits have taken place for 25 years, except during Covid and immediately after the Ukraine war. “This will not affect the India-US tariff deal,” he said, calling the summit a “diplomatic coup” that allows India to expand cooperation with Moscow even as it engages with Washington.
Both experts agreed that strategic autonomy, long-term defence cooperation, and the ability to withstand external pressure form the core of the India-Russia partnership — a message likely to resonate when Putin visits New Delhi later this year.
Watch accompanying video for entire discussion.
