SRINAGAR: President Vladimir Putin will visit New Delhi on December 4-5 for the annual India–Russia summit and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Tuesday. The visit, Putin’s first to India since the Ukraine invasion in 2022, comes as both sides face continued US pressure to scale down energy and defence cooperation.
The summit will allow the two leaders to review the state of bilateral ties, outline the next steps in the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership”, and exchange views on key regional and global developments. President Droupadi Murmu will also meet Putin and host a banquet in his honour during the nearly 24-hour trip.
Officials said the meeting is expected to deliver several major agreements, particularly in defence and energy. India is considering a follow-on order for additional S-400 air defence systems after their recent operational success. Three of the five contracted S-400 units have reached India under the $5.43-billion deal signed in 2018.
Despite India gradually reducing its intake of Russian crude, Moscow has recently increased discounts to retain its position as a key supplier. Discussions at the summit are also expected to focus on strengthening economic ties, boosting Indian exports, and addressing the widening trade imbalance. Bilateral trade hit a record $68.7 billion in 2024–25, driven largely by discounted Russian oil, while Indian exports amounted to only $4.88 billion.
Putin is also expected to launch the new India channel of Russian state broadcaster RT during his stay. Talks may include steps to expand civil nuclear cooperation and explore new avenues to deepen strategic and economic engagement amid evolving geopolitical and geo-economic conditions.
Modi and Putin last met in person on the margins of the SCO Summit in China in September, reaffirming their commitment to the partnership that will mark its 25th anniversary on October 3. The upcoming summit follows increased US pressure on New Delhi, including recent punitive tariffs linked to India’s continued engagement with Russian energy.
