Russian President Vladimir Putin is arriving for a two-day visit to India on Thursday with a delegation of senior Ministers and top business leaders across sectors, with a clear message that Russia is ready to procure more from India and dent the widening trade deficit while securing its defence and energy deals.

In FY25, India’s imports from Russia totalled $63.84 billion, while exports were $4.88 billion, widening the trade deficit to about $59 billion. New Delhi has been insisting that addressing the deficit should be given priority.

Wider assurances

Amid US tariffs hurting Indian exports, Moscow is likely to extend to India assurances of wider sourcing of medicines & devices and food products. It is also looking to set up a dedicated manufacturing corridor for technical textiles and

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