“Can Putin’s Proposed Indian Visit Be Disrupted?” Let's wait and see. Indo-Russian friendship dates back to the time of Nehru and Raj Kapoor (the pole star of Hindi cinema). The upcoming visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India has become a matter of unusual global scrutiny. The United States and its Western allies appear determined to obstruct or at least dilute the significance of the trip through a carefully manufactured “international consensus.” But the question arises: does such a consensus hold any relevance for India today? And more importantly, why has this visit become a global flashpoint? To begin with, the Western idea of consensus is often a diplomatic shorthand for alignment under US strategic priorities. When Washington claims there is a unanimous international view, the reality is that it usually reflects the Western bloc and its close partners — not the Global South, not Asia, and certainly not India. India’s foreign policy has historically been shaped by autonomy, strategic independence, and an unbroken commitment to multi-alignment, if not the outdated non-alignment movement. Therefore, the Western consensus, however loud, cannot automatically dictate India’s decisions. Why is then, the Putin’s visit to India being projected as a geopolitical earthquake? The answer lies in timing and symbolism. The world is in the midst of a dramatic rebalancing. The US-China rivalry is intensifying, Europe is grappling with economic stagnation, and Russia is under sanctions but far from isolated. India, meanwhile, is rising — economically, diplomatically, and strategically. The Putin–Modi meeting signals that New Delhi is prepared to deepen relations with all major powers, even in a polarized world. This visit reinforces India’s role as an independent pole in global affairs. After this interaction, India positions itself not merely as a balancing force but as a potential fourth global power—alongside the US, EU, and China. Russia, despite Western pressure, remains a vital strategic partner for India in energy security, defence technology, space cooperation, and rare geopolitical trust. Ignoring Russia simply because the West demands it would undermine decades of carefully built strategic architecture. The timing is crucial for another reason: India is entering a phase where its global influence is expanding faster than ever. A visible diplomatic engagement with Russia at this moment sends a message to the world that India will not be boxed into any one camp. It maintains ties with the US, strategic partnerships with Europe, competitive engagement with China, and historic relations with Russia — simultaneously. Can the US twist India’s arm? Perhaps Washington still believes that India can be nudged, pressured, or coaxed into alignment through sanctions threats, political signalling, or “democratic partnership” rhetoric. But the India of 2025 is not the India of 1995. It is the world’s fastest-growing large economy, a key Indo-Pacific power, a major defence and technology hub, and a nation whose decisions carry global consequences. Ultimately, the attempt to disrupt Putin’s visit will likely fail. India no longer needs permission slips from global power centres. The visit represents not just a bilateral meeting, but a declaration of India’s maturing global identity — confident, multi-aligned, and unafraid of pressure. The world must adjust to this new India, not the other way around. DON'T MISS THE - "Images of the Times" @ Amazon KDP #🚹உளவியல் சிந்தனை #அரசியல்