India, the world's largest arms importer, has diversified its defense import portfolio and grown domestic manufacturing in recent years, but still buys more than 50 percent of its defense equipment from Russia.
India has increased its oil imports from Russia, taking advantage of Moscow's low prices. Russia was India's largest supplier of oil last year.
The United States and its allies have often urged India to take a clear stance on the war, but have refrained from imposing harsh sanctions or pressure.
The West also sees India as a counterweight to China and is reluctant to disrupt that dynamic. Now the world’s fifth-largest economy, India is also a growing market for business.
Mr Kugelman said the West would welcome the visit and see it as a sign of Delhi's willingness to engage with all sides.
“Prime Minister Modi has a strong incentive to signal that he is not getting too close to Moscow to the point where there is nothing to be gained from Kiev,” he said.
This is important because India wants to continue to nurture its relationship with the West, particularly the United States, and does not want to break the momentum. The US ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, recently said that relationship “cannot be taken for granted.”
India also needs help from the West. In Asia, rivals China and Russia have developed closer ties in recent years.
Delhi has long viewed Moscow as a power that can pressure China when necessary, but it cannot take that for granted.
Meanwhile, many media commentators have noted that Prime Minister Modi could position himself as a peace broker, given India's close ties with both Moscow and the West.
But it's unlikely he'll show up with a peace plan.
“Can India really do that? And are the conditions right? India doesn’t like other countries trying to mediate in its issues, especially on Kashmir. And I don’t think Prime Minister Modi will formally offer mediation unless Russia and Ukraine want it. And I don’t think they will at this point,” Mr. Kugelman added.
