In the space of six weeks , with great displays of importance , India 's capital will have hosted two world leaders who no longer speak with each other : the presidents of Russia and the United States . India sits uncomfortably between these two adversaries . Pick your geopolitical topic -- Syria , Iran , Ukraine -- and you can be sure that Moscow and Washington will be at odds with each other . New Delhi has been watching from afar , sitting on the fence . It is fair to ask if India 's stance is sustainable . Can you simultaneously court close friendships with two states whose foreign policies are designed to hurt the other ? In Narendra Modi¹s worldview , the answer is a resounding yes . When CNN spoke with the Indian Prime Minister earlier this year , in his only interview since assuming office , Modi explained how he saw a changed world order . `` If you look closely , you will see that every country is trying to build relations with other countries , '' he said . They may be part of one bloc , but they also sit with fierce opponents . When pushed specifically on Russia 's annexation of Crimea , a hostile takeover New Delhi refused to condemn , Modi pushed right back . `` In the world right now , a lot of people want to give advice . But look within them , and they too have sinned in some way . '' The comment could be seen as a subtle dig at Washington 's foreign policy missteps . However , Modi 's point was not to admonish the U.S. , but to suggest that all nations have their own value systems and perceived flaws . India¹s way of navigating flawed global players was by making friendships and opening channels of opportunity . The subtext to this is simple : economics . The reason why Modi has traveled all over the world in his first few months in office -- Rio , New York , Tokyo , Sydney -- is not because he wants to be a foreign policy leader ; Modi wants to bring business to India . So : as you read about and see images of Vladimir Putin¹s grand reception in New Delhi this week , keep an eye not on the rhetoric , but the outcomes and deals struck . Russia is the world 's second largest exporter of arms ; India is the world 's biggest importer . Russia is one of the world 's biggest producers of oil and gas ; India is one of the biggest consumers . The two sustain each others ' needs . And as long as they do , they will court each other , with the United States watching on .
India sits uncomfortably between Russia and U.S. , writes CNN 's Ravi Agrawal . The two countries have been at odds over the disputed territory of Kashmir for decades -- a conflict that has claimed more than 40,000 lives since Indian troops occupied it in 1947. Narendra Modi told CNN he saw a changed world order . `` Every country is trying to build relations with other countries , '' Modi said . During Putin 's visit , it 's worth focusing on the outcomes and deals struck , says Agrawal .