India, Dec. 7 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to India on December 4-5 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit marked a significant diplomatic moment, demonstrating the resilience of one of the world's most enduring strategic partnerships. The visit, Putin's first to India since the Ukraine conflict began in 2022, was laden with symbolism, from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal reception at the airport to the ceremonial guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The optics were deliberate and unmistakable. At a time when Western nations have sought to isolate Russia diplomatically, India's warm embrace sent a clear message about the independent trajectory of its foreign policy. The traditional Modi hug at the airport,...