Putin arrives in India for warm two-day visit
Murmu to warmly receive Putin, hosting banquet tonight.
New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to arrive in India on December 4 for a two-day state visit that is expected to inject new energy into the long-standing India–Russia partnership. The visit, which includes the 23rd annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is being viewed as an important moment for both countries as they look to deepen cooperation in key strategic areas and reaffirm their decades-old bond.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), announcing the visit on Friday, said that the upcoming summit will help shape the future direction of the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” — a phrase that reflects the uniquely close relationship the two nations have nurtured over the years.
During his visit, President Putin will also be received by President Droupadi Murmu, who will host a ceremonial banquet in his honour. The warm reception planned in New Delhi underscores the importance India places on its ties with Russia, even as global geopolitical currents continue to shift rapidly.
According to the MEA, the meetings between the two leaders will provide an opportunity to take stock of ongoing projects, evaluate the progress of bilateral commitments, and outline a road map for future collaboration. The discussions, expected to be both wide-ranging and substantive, will cover defence and security partnerships, trade and investment, advanced manufacturing, space cooperation, and civil nuclear energy — all areas where India and Russia have built deep foundations over many years.
The defence partnership, in particular, remains central to the relationship. Russia has long been one of India’s most trusted defence suppliers, and joint projects such as the BrahMos missile have become global success stories. Both nations are expected to explore ways to further modernise defence cooperation, with an emphasis on joint production, technology-sharing, and long-term capability building.
Economic cooperation is another pillar of the partnership. Bilateral trade has been growing steadily, especially in energy, with India emerging as one of the largest buyers of Russian crude oil. Officials from both sides are expected to discuss mechanisms to stabilise trade payments, diversify commercial ties beyond energy, and enhance connectivity initiatives that could benefit both economies.
Civil nuclear energy is yet another area where the two nations continue to collaborate closely. With the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant serving as a flagship project, the summit is expected to focus on expanding peaceful nuclear cooperation, ensuring long-term energy security for India.
Putin’s last visit to New Delhi took place in 2021, while Prime Minister Modi visited Moscow in July last year for the annual summit, reflecting the consistency of high-level engagement between the two leaders.
For India, Russia has always been more than just a strategic partner — it has been a reliable and trusted friend through changing global landscapes. As New Delhi navigates a complex international environment, Russia continues to remain an important component of India’s foreign policy priorities. The upcoming visit is likely to reaffirm that sense of continuity, stability and mutual respect that has defined the partnership for decades.