India’s opposition has described Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to New Delhi as a “hollow diplomatic showcase” by the Modi government, arguing that the trip produced no major agreements, no strategic breakthroughs, and no tangible outcomes despite being projected as a historic moment.
Opposition leaders say the government marketed the visit for political advantage, but the facts show that the meetings and statements remained largely symbolic. According to them, the visit ended without any significant defence deal, technological collaboration, or breakthrough in long-pending projects.
They point out that in the defence sector — including the S-500 air-defence system, expansion of the BrahMos programme, and other strategic initiatives — discussions took place but no new contracts or commitments were signed, indicating stagnation in the traditionally strong India–Russia defence partnership.
In the energy sector, opposition parties argue that Russia reiterated its long-term supply offers, but India failed to finalize any concrete agreement. Similarly, the long-delayed rupee–ruble payment mechanism — crucial for stabilizing bilateral trade — remained unresolved, leaving trade imbalances and logistical issues untouched.
The opposition also criticised the Modi government’s foreign policy approach, claiming that India appears uncertain and reactive, caught between Russia and Western powers, particularly in the context of the Ukraine conflict. They argue that the visit was expected to signal a strong strategic direction, but instead exposed India’s lack of clarity on major geopolitical issues.
Rejecting the government’s claims of success, opposition parties insist that a genuinely successful visit would have produced at least one major defence or trade outcome, which did not happen. In their view, the visit served more as political optics and less as a moment of real diplomatic achievement.
