SRINAGAR: Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to travel to India around December 5, to hold annual summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with discussions likely to yield significant outcomes aimed at deepening bilateral strategic cooperation, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday, as reported by NDTV.
The visit, if finalised, will mark the next round of high-level engagement under the long-standing India–Russia annual summit mechanism, which alternates between New Delhi and Moscow. Officials indicated that the agenda is likely to cover defence collaboration, energy security, trade expansion, and cooperation in emerging sectors such as nuclear energy, space and technology.
Sources noted that the two leaders are also expected to review the regional security situation, including developments in Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific, as well as global issues such as counterterrorism and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The summit may also witness fresh agreements in defence manufacturing and energy projects.
Putin last visited India in December 2021 for the 21st India–Russia annual summit, which focused on defence and energy partnerships. The annual summit was not held in subsequent years due to scheduling and geopolitical challenges, but both sides had reiterated their commitment to revive the mechanism.
The announcement of the Russian President’s planned visit comes at a time when India continues to balance its strategic ties with both Western partners and Moscow, particularly against the backdrop of the Russia–Ukraine conflict and evolving global power dynamics.
Neither New Delhi nor Moscow has officially confirmed the dates, though diplomatic sources suggest that preparations are at an advanced stage.
