Putin’s India Trip Expected to Fast-Track Arctic Shipbuilding Cooperation

Key Highlights

• India and Russia are set to discuss a joint plan to build Arctic-class vessels during President Vladimir Putin’s India trip.
• Moscow says Arctic shipbuilding could become a “promising” new frontier in bilateral defence-industrial cooperation.
• Talks come as India clears a nearly ₹ 70,000 crore maritime push to boost domestic shipbuilding and naval capacity.

As Russian President Vladimir Putin begins his two-day state visit to New Delhi on Thursday, India and Russia are preparing to advance a new frontier in their strategic partnership: joint construction of Arctic-class ships. Senior Russian officials have signalled that the proposal is high on the agenda as both sides explore deeper industrial cooperation amid shifting global maritime dynamics.

Arctic Shipbuilding on the Table

Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, in comments reported by Sputnik India, said the two nations are evaluating long-term collaboration opportunities in the Arctic shipbuilding sector. Manturov further described the proposed partnership as a “promising area of cooperation,” according to the outlet, highlighting Moscow’s intention to leverage India’s growing industrial capacity while sharing Russian expertise in operating vessels in extreme polar conditions.

The upcoming discussion is part of a broader effort by both governments to diversify bilateral cooperation beyond traditional defence trade. As reported by Russian media, Moscow believes that India’s expanding shipyards and skilled labour pool could eventually support the production of specialised vessels, including ice-class cargo carriers and support ships, which are critical for Russia’s Northern Sea Route ambitions.

India’s Maritime Sector Push

The timing of these talks during Putin’s India trip aligns closely with the nation’s efforts to upgrade its maritime infrastructure and stimulate domestic shipbuilding. In September, India’s Union Cabinet cleared a ₹69,725-crore package aimed at transforming India’s shipbuilding landscape. As widely reported in the national media, the package included a revamped ₹24,736-crore Shipbuilding Finance Assistance Scheme (SBFAS) to support builders with accessible long-term financing. ₹25,000-crore Maritime Development Fund (MDF) to boost port-linked infrastructure and allied services.

Additionally, approximately ₹20,000 crore is allocated for establishing shipbuilding clusters to expand manufacturing capacity.

This policy overhaul is an indication of New Delhi’s ambition to emerge as a competitive global shipbuilding hub, strategically aligning with the Indo-Russian proposal.

Putin’s India Trip: Strategic Alignment and Geopolitical Calculus

For Russia, facing Western sanctions and accelerated decoupling from European suppliers, partnering with India offers a politically stable and industrially capable alternative. Analysts note that the Arctic remains central to Russia’s long-term economic strategy, particularly as the melting ice opens new shipping routes and energy exploration zones.

For India, the opportunity arrives at a time when it is diversifying defence procurement and seeking deeper technology-sharing arrangements. Joint production of Arctic-class vessels would not only expand India’s naval and commercial capabilities but also strengthen its footprint in global maritime logistics.

Furthermore, Moscow has been aggressively promoting its Arctic expertise, offering collaborations to countries willing to invest in ice-rated vessels, specialised propulsion systems, and polar navigation technologies. New Delhi’s growing interest, in part driven by trade diversification and maritime security objectives, makes it a natural fit.

A New Chapter in Bilateral Industrial Cooperation

Putin’s India trip, described by analysts as a high-stakes diplomatic moment, is expected to revive momentum in sectors stalled during the pandemic era. If the Arctic shipbuilding partnership moves forward, it could mark one of the most substantive new industrial projects between the two countries in years.

For India, the deal could bring advanced shipbuilding technologies, training, and eventually export opportunities. For Russia, it secures a reliable partner to maintain and expand a fleet suited to Arctic operations, which are essential for its energy, logistics and geopolitical ambitions.

As the summit unfolds in New Delhi, the maritime agenda is poised to play a defining role in shaping the next phase of India–Russia cooperation, signalling an expansion into colder waters and new strategic horizons.