New Delhi (NFO): When Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in the Indian capital on December 4 after a four-year hiatus, the optics were all about warm handshakes and renewed strategic partnership. But behind the ceremonial welcome lay a development far more consequential for India’s maritime future: New Delhi is on the cusp of finalising a $2-billion agreement to lease a nuclear-powered attack submarine from Russia, one of the most expensive underwater defence projects in the country’s history.

This isn’t a routine defence transaction. It signals India’s intent to accelerate its undersea capabilities at a time when the Indo-Pacific is becoming the world’s most militarised strategic theatre. A nuclear attack submarine-capable of stealthy, long-range deployment-would allow the Indian Navy to maintain a stronger, more persistent presence across contested waters.

The deal itself has been nearly a decade in the making. Negotiations have repeatedly stalled over price escalations, technology clauses and post-delivery support. According to officials familiar with the talks, the recent visit by an Indian technical delegation to a Russian shipyard helped resolve most outstanding issues. Insiders claim the project is finally “in the home stretch.”

If signed, the submarine is expected to join the Indian fleet in roughly two years. However, defence experts caution that such complex platforms often face slippages, and the timeline may shift depending on final configuration and sea-trial schedules.

For now, the buzz surrounding Putin’s visit has reignited a long-running strategic conversation: how far India is willing to go and how much it is willing to spend - to secure its underwater dominance in a rapidly changing regional security environment.