Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hands Vladimir Putin a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, Delhi, December 4, 2025

EA on War and Politics 24: Dealing with Witkoff and Kushner in the Kremlin

UPDATE, DEC 6:

I followed up on Friday about India’s “tactical” handling of Vladimir Putin during the Russian leader’s two-day visit.

I note how, beyond the ceremony and rhetoric, India held out the prospect of closer trade and technology links *if* Putin moves towards a ceasefire of his invasion of Ukraine.

I discuss the approach with fellow panelists Ambassador Meera Shankar and Gen. Shokin Chauhan.

Watch from 8:01:

ORIGINAL ENTRY, DEC 5: I joined Indian outlets on Thursday and Friday to analyze Vladimir Putin’s two-day trip to India.

I cut through the puffery about ceremony, honors, and general agreements to assess the significance of Putin’s talk with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

While India is highlighting the potential of trade, investment, and technology arrangements, Modi is subtly letting Putin know that these depend on Russia curbing its 46-month full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

But Putin has told Indian outlets that he will not ceasefire without seizing more Ukrainian territory through negotiation or force.

So does India reinforce the message behind the cermonial scenes?

Watch Discussion on News 9 from 6:59

I work with the observations of Major General Rajan Kochhar and Dr Prasod Kumar of Jawaharlal Nehru University on the military, economic, and political dimensions.

And I take on the propaganda of Julia Melnikova of the Russian International Affairs Council.

Watch CNN 18

In a panel discussion on Friday morning, I work through the public statements of Modi and Putin to assess what is going on behind the scenes. Along the way, I deal with the pro-Kremlin talking points of the host.

The other guest is Professor Vesselin Popovski. At the end of the second clip, Nikita Mendkovich of Moscow’s Eurasian Analytical Club is upset that an American has been allowed onto the program.