Key Points
- Putin will arrive in New Delhi on the evening of December 4 and depart the night of December 5, spending approximately 30 hours in India.
- This is Putin’s first official visit to India since the Ukraine invasion in February 2022, underscoring the strategic resilience of Indo-Russian ties despite geopolitical tensions.
- Bilateral trade is projected to expand from the current $68 billion to $100 billion by 2030, with discussions on expanding cooperation in energy, technology, and pharmaceuticals.
- Key defense agreements on the agenda include potential purchases of Russia’s Su-57 fifth-generation fighter aircraft, advanced missile defense systems, and additional S-400 long-range air defense missiles.
- Both nations will sign a labour mobility agreement allowing skilled Indian workers to migrate to Russia for work in IT, construction, healthcare, and hospitality sectors.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s arrival in India on December 4 marks a watershed moment in Indo-Russian relations, representing his first visit to the country since launching the special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. The timing of this state visit underscores Moscow’s commitment to maintaining strategic partnerships beyond Western economic sanctions and demonstrates India’s independent geopolitical stance in refusing to isolate Russia despite international pressure.
Putin’s previous visit to India was in December 2021, before the Ukraine conflict began. The current summit is the 23rd annual India-Russia bilateral meeting and comes after the Russian President visited Moscow in July 2024, where Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin in September 2025.
Modi, Putin to Launch Defense Deals and Trade Expansion Plans
On the evening of December 4, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host Putin at a private dinner at his residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, a gesture signifying the deep trust and personal rapport between the two leaders. This informal setting will allow candid discussion before formal proceedings commence the next day.
December 5 will see the formal state reception begin at 9,15 a.m., when Putin receives a ceremonial welcome and tri-service guard of honor at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He will then visit Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi before proceeding to Hyderabad House at 11 a.m. for the formal bilateral summit with Prime Minister Modi.
The summit agenda is expansive, with discussions expected to cover defense cooperation, civil nuclear energy, space collaboration, Arctic cooperation, and strategic technology partnerships. A crucial outcome will be the joint statement outlining new agreements, progress on existing frameworks, and future cooperation priorities.
Defense Modernization and Advanced Weapons Systems on the Table
The Kremlin has signaled that major defense deals are high on Putin’s agenda, with discussions centered on the sale of Su-57 fifth-generation fighter aircraft, advanced missile defense systems, and additional S-400 long-range air defense missiles. Over 50 percent of India’s military hardware still originates from Russia, though New Delhi has been diversifying its arms imports in recent years.
Any agreement to acquire Su-57 fighters would signal renewed confidence in Russia as a long-term defense partner and demonstrate India’s commitment to maintaining strategic autonomy despite pressure from the Trump administration, which has doubled tariffs on India to 50 percent as punishment for purchasing Russian oil. The Russian Parliament has already approved key defense deals as part of this visit’s outcomes.
Trade Expansion Strategy Amid US Sanctions Pressure
At the India-Russia Business Forum scheduled for approximately 3 p.m. on December 5 at Bharat Mandapam, both leaders will address leading business delegations from their countries, focusing on expanding economic cooperation beyond energy and defense. The summit aims to elevate bilateral trade from the current $68 billion to $100 billion by 2030, with emphasis on increasing imports of Indian goods into the Russian market.
Both nations are working to insulate bilateral trade from US sanctions and develop alternative payment mechanisms using their own currencies, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. A labour mobility agreement allowing skilled and semi-skilled Indian professionals to work in Russia’s IT services, construction, healthcare, and hospitality sectors will be finalized during the visit.
Labor Mobility and Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreements
The labour mobility agreement, which has been finalized and is in the final stage of internal processing, represents a significant expansion of Indo-Russian cooperation in human resources development. This framework will provide legal pathways for Indian workers to contribute to Russia’s economy while creating employment opportunities in sectors experiencing labor shortages in the Russian market.
Civil nuclear energy remains another critical pillar of cooperation, with Russia actively participating in India’s largest nuclear power project. Discussions during Putin’s visit are expected to expand collaboration to include advanced areas such as small modular reactors, positioning both nations as leaders in next-generation nuclear technology.
Free Trade Agreement and Market Access Negotiations
The 26th round of the India-Russia Working Group on Trade and Economic Cooperation has been working toward expediting market access for Indian products in Russian markets. Negotiations are ongoing for a potential free-trade agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, which would further streamline bilateral commerce and reduce tariff barriers.
State Banquet and Departure
The visit concludes with a state banquet hosted by President Draupadi Murmu on the evening of December 5, where she will honor the Russian President with full ceremonial protocols. Following the banquet, Putin will depart from India the same night after completing his 30-hour state visit.
Broader Geopolitical Significance
Putin’s India visit comes at a critical juncture when the United States, under President Donald Trump, has applied significant pressure on India to downgrade ties with Russia through tariff penalties and sanctions warnings. By hosting this summit and formalizing defense and trade agreements, India is reaffirming its commitment to an independent foreign policy that refuses to choose between global powers while maintaining strategic partnerships essential for national security and economic prosperity.
