New Delhi, Dec 4 (UNI) Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to arrive in New Delhi on Thursday evening for a pivotal two-day state visit, underscoring the deepening India-Russia strategic partnership.
The visit, the first by Putin to India in four years, will include the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, high-level defence and energy talks, and the signing of a long-term economic cooperation programme.
Upon arrival, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a private dinner for Putin, mirroring a similar gesture during Modi’s visit to Moscow in July 2024, setting the stage for the formal summit and signalling the importance both nations attach to their bilateral ties.
On Friday morning, President Putin will begin his official engagements with a ceremonial welcome and then travel to Rajghat to pay respects at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial, a customary engagement for visiting heads of state.
This will be followed by the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit at Hyderabad House, during which PM Modi will also host a working lunch for Putin and his delegation.
India is expected to press for expedited delivery of pending military hardware, particularly given delays in certain platforms since the war in Ukraine began.
Key discussions are expected to include additional S-400 air defence systems. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday confirmed that the Russian stealth bomber Su-57 is certainly on the agenda during the summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“SU- 57 is the best plane in the world. SU57 will be on the agenda,” Peskov said, offering a glimpse into top level talks between the two leaders.
The talks on Russian stealth bomber Su-57 is on the table on Putin’s arrival even as talks on acquiring American stealth F-35 fighter continues runs in rough weather after US punitive trade sanctions on India and with New Delhi now firm on getting full control of avionics and its domestic production.
India signed a USD 5 billion deal in 2018 for five S-400 units, of which three squadrons have been delivered and two more are expected by mid-next year. The systems were reportedly used effectively during Operation Sindoor.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said talks may also cover India’s interest in Su-57 fifth-generation fighters, as India evaluates next-generation platforms including the Rafale, F-21, F/A-18, and Eurofighter Typhoon.
Energy security will feature prominently, with US sanctions on Russian crude expected to be a key topic. Peskov noted that India’s imports may decline “for a brief period,” though Russia is making efforts to sustain supplies.
Putin’s visit comes amid recent India-US tensions, including tariffs on Indian goods and levies linked to India’s procurement of Russian crude.
President Putin is also expected to discuss with PM Modi on the latest US diplomatic initiatives regarding the Ukraine conflict. India has maintained that dialogue and diplomacy are the only path forward, avoiding criticism of Moscow while positioning itself as a potential mediator.
The visit will also witness the signing of a Development Programme for Strategic Areas of Russian-Indian Economic Cooperation by 2030, according to Kremlin spokesperson Yury Ushakov.
The programme aims to expand collaboration across diverse sectors including production, innovative technologies, transport, space, resource development, healthcare, and labour migration. Bilateral trade between India and Russia has been steadily increasing, reaching $68.7 billion in 2024-25, with both countries targeting $100 billion by 2030. Ushakov highlighted that the two nations have several large-scale projects underway, reflecting growing cooperation in multiple sectors.
Putin’s visit marks the 25th anniversary of the India-Russia strategic partnership, established in October 2000 and elevated to a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” during Putin’s visit to India in 2010. The visit provides an opportunity for both countries to review bilateral progress, set the vision for the future, and exchange views on regional and global issues.
Recently, Russia’s Duma ratified an intergovernmental agreement on the dispatch of military personnel, ships, and aircraft between India and Russia. The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS) agreement was signed in Moscow on February 18, 2025, streamlining logistics for joint exercises, training, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and other coordinated operations.
