Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on December 4 for a two-day state visit, marking his first trip to India since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022.
Invited personally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the itinerary includes the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit on December 5, where leaders will chart the course for bilateral cooperation across defense, energy, and trade.
The visit, confirmed yesterday by both the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the Kremlin, arrives at a key moment. With global supply chains strained and geopolitical fault lines widening, India and Russia are poised to ink several intergovernmental and commercial pacts.
These could span joint ventures in advanced manufacturing, nuclear energy expansion, and digital infrastructure, building on the two nations’ $65 billion trade volume recorded in the fiscal year ending March 2025, a figure driven largely by discounted Russian crude oil imports that have helped stabilize India’s energy needs.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov highlighted the summit’s role in ‘elevating our time-tested friendship,’ while Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized its potential to ‘unlock new avenues in sustainable development and security collaboration.’
Mr. Putin, speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi earlier this month, expressed interest in reconnecting with Mr. Modi, whom he described as a ‘steadfast ally committed to his people’s sovereignty.’ The Russian leader’s remarks appeared to nod at recent US tariff threats on Indian imports of Russian oil, which President-elect Donald Trump has linked to funding Moscow’s military efforts. The Russian leader praised India’s firm stance, stating, ‘New Delhi will never tolerate external pressures that undermine its independence.’
As to the agenda, defense remains a cornerstone. Russia supplies over 60% of India’s military hardware, including the S-400 missile systems and ongoing co-production of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
Discussions are expected to accelerate deliveries of Su-30MKI fighter jets and explore upgrades to the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier, reflecting a shift toward localized manufacturing under ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Energy talks will likely address stabilizing oil flows, as India’s December imports from Russia are projected to dip to their lowest in three years due to refining adjustments aimed at evading Western sanctions. Yet, both sides aim to balance this with diversification, including Russia’s investments in India’s green hydrogen projects and rare earth mineral exploration.
Culturally, the visit signals a thaw in people-to-people exchanges. Putin noted the surge in Indian students pursuing STEM degrees in Russian universities, now exceeding 25,000 annually, and the niche popularity of Bollywood in Russia, where a dedicated channel airs Indian films 24/7.
Humanitarian corridors for medical collaborations and space research, including joint lunar missions via the Gaganyaan program, are also slated for review.