Russian President Vladimir Putin set to begin his two-day state visit to India for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit Thursday. He is likely to arrive in New Delhi in the evening.
Putin will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the primary focus will be trade, investment, economy and defence. Indian President Droupadi Murmu will also receive Putin and host a banquet for him. He is expected to be accompanied by a number of leading figures from the Russian government and business communities.
A statement by the Ministry of External Affairs last week said that the Russian leader’s visit will “provide an opportunity for the leadership of India and Russia to review progress in bilateral relations, set the vision for strengthening the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest”.
Putin’s visit comes amid major global geopolitical tensions over the war in Ukraine. The almost four-year conflict has seen Russia cut off from the western banking system and trade networks. At the same time, India and Russia have deepened economic ties, with New Delhi becoming one of the largest purchasers of Russian oil.
In the last financial year, New Delhi imported almost $56 billion worth of oil from Moscow. US President Donald Trump imposed “penalties” on India for its Russian oil trade, hiking tariffs by 25 percent.
The Russian president is set to depart Friday evening. A number of topics are due to figure on agenda, including deepening the long-standing defence relationship, civil nuclear partnership and insulating India-Russia trade from global sanctions.
The current state of negotiations to end the war between Russia and Ukraine is expected to figure in the discussions between Modi and Putin as well. India has maintained that this is not an era of war and that the only solution is dialogue and diplomacy. However, it has taken no part in the mediation or discussions to end the war.
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11.20 am: ‘Opportunity to review ties with old-time friend’
India and Russia are set to review the entire gamut of their bilateral relations during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India that will see the signing of several significant agreements but not-much-talked about big ticket items, ThePrint has learnt.
Government sources explained that the visit cannot be measured in terms of big ticket deals being signed contrary to what has been reported so far by others. One of the significant agreements that will take place is on mobility, allowing easier recruitment of Indian workers by Russia.
They said for India, the visit is an opportunity to review the bilateral ties with an old-time friend and see what more could be done and how some irritants can be taken care of. As for Putin, it is an opportunity to show the world that Russia has a partner of global significance.
It is understood that India will be playing a fine balancing act between its friendship with Russia and with Western powers.
The sources said no alarming development is expected during Putin’s two-day visit starting Thursday even as both sides undertake a number of steps to boost their relations. Defence, energy, trade and nuclear cooperation remain the top priority sectors for the two countries, they added.
Read Snehesh Alex Philip’s report.
11.00 am: What’s on Moscow’s agenda?
The sale of S-400 Triumf anti-air defence systems, small modular nuclear reactors and protecting the India-Russia trade from sanctions will be on Moscow’s agenda during Putin’s visit. In particular, ways will be found to ensure that oil trade volumes do not go down due to the US sanctions.
“S-400 is on the agenda. We will have certain members of the delegation that can discuss in detail. The only thing I will say is that our military industry is working pretty well. We have managed to enlarge the volumes of production,” Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Russian President had said earlier this week.
ThePrint was the first to report India’s interest in procuring five more regiments of the S-400 platform last week. India currently operates three of these platforms, with two more scheduled for delivery in the next year. The potential purchase of five more regiments could see India operate a total of 10 of these platforms. The S-400s performed exceptionally well during Operation Sindoor, keeping Pakistan’s air forces at bay. Read Keshav Padmanabhan’s report.
#WATCH | Delhi: Flex boards welcoming Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian national flags put up around Teen Murti Marg.
At the invitation of PM Narendra Modi, President Putin will pay a State visit to India from 4-5 December 2025 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.… pic.twitter.com/9tsXUYU9Nb
— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2025
10.30 am: Itinerary for 5 December
Friday is expected to begin with a ceremonial reception for Putin at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, followed by a visit to Rajghat. He will then hold talks with PM Modi at Hyderabad House.
Closing the day with a meeting with President Murmu, Putin is likely to depart around 9 pm.
10.00 am: Putin to arrive in New Delhi at 6.35 pm
The Russian president is set to begin his state visit to India Thursday evening, landing in Delhi around 6.30 pm. He is likely to receive an Air Force escort upon his arrival, it is learnt.
Hours later, he is expected to attend a private dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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