Putin set to visit India before year’s end, Kremlin
The Russian president last set foot in New Delhi in 2021, a visit that carried the weight of tradition as well as strategy. His arrival then was marked by warm handshakes, long discussions, and the familiar symbolism of two nations bound by decades of partnership. That trip, though only a few years ago, now feels distant against the backdrop of global upheaval, shifting alliances, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. His expected return this year will inevitably be seen through that changed and complicated lens.
Moscow: The Kremlin has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to India in December for the annual leadership summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit, expected to take place before the end of the year, is already being prepared in “full swing,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.
It would take place before the New Year sets in,” Peskov explained in an interview.
For both countries, the summit carries symbolic and strategic weight. It reaffirms a tradition that has endured for decades: a mechanism where the Indian prime minister and the Russian president meet annually to review their entire relationship — spanning defense, energy, trade, and geopolitical coordination.
A Tradition of SummitsIndia and Russia have held 22 annual summits so far, alternating between New Delhi and Moscow. These meetings are more than ceremonial; they provide space for leaders to speak frankly about cooperation, challenges, and shared priorities.
The Russian president last visited New Delhi in 2021, when global politics were already beginning to shift under the strain of COVID-19, economic uncertainty, and growing tensions with the West. That visit now feels distant, overshadowed by the war in Ukraine, Western sanctions on Russia, and a rapidly changing international order.
Despite the turbulence, the tradition of annual summits has continued. In July last year, it was Prime Minister Modi who traveled to Moscow, a visit that underscored India’s careful balancing act: maintaining deep ties with Russia while also expanding partnerships with the United States and other global powers.
What This Visit MeansFor India, Putin’s December visit will be closely watched, both domestically and internationally. New Delhi has maintained a nuanced position on the Ukraine conflict — neither endorsing Moscow’s actions nor fully joining Western sanctions. Instead, India has kept dialogue open with both sides, purchasing Russian energy while calling for peace and diplomacy.
Putin’s arrival in New Delhi, therefore, will be read as a reaffirmation of the long-standing India–Russia friendship — one that stretches back to the Cold War and has survived countless global shifts. The personal rapport between Modi and Putin, visible in their public interactions, will likely add to the warmth of the occasion.
For Russia, the visit is an opportunity to showcase that, despite isolation from much of the West, Moscow still counts India among its closest and most dependable partners. For India, it is a chance to remind the world of its independent foreign policy — one not bound by blocs, but guided by national interest and global balance.
As December draws near, preparations will continue on both sides. For the Kremlin, ensuring a smooth and successful visit is a matter of prestige. For India, welcoming Putin once again in New Delhi will be a signal of continuity — a reminder that even in a world reshaped by crises, some partnerships endure.