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New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to arrive in India today on December 4, for a two-day visit, during which he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold their annual summit. The meeting is expected to yield a series of substantive agreements across trade, defence and wider strategic cooperation, reinforcing a partnership that both capitals consider vital.
The visit comes at a delicate moment in India’s foreign policy landscape. New Delhi and Washington are experiencing one of their most difficult periods in nearly twenty years, following the United States’ decision to impose steep tariffs on a range of Indian exports. The American measures include a 50 per cent duty on several categories of Indian goods and a separate 25 per cent levy linked to India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil.
Against this backdrop, Putin’s presence in India is seen as particularly significant. Both countries are likely to use the summit to signal the resilience of their long-standing ties and to explore ways of deepening cooperation at a time of shifting global alignments.
After spending more than two and a half hours at the Prime Minister’s residence in 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, President Vladimir Putin’s motorcade has finally departed.
Delhi is preparing for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s December 5 visit with extensive traffic restrictions across central and old city corridors. Key stretches around ITO, Delhi Gate, Rajghat, Shanti Van, Hanuman Setu, Netaji Subhash Marg, Vikas Marg and IP Marg will see regulated movement.
Commuters have been urged to take alternative routes and allow extra travel time. Police have deployed additional personnel to manage flow and prevent congestion during the high-security movement.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov and several members of the Russian delegation left earlier in a separate vehicle.
President Vladimir Putin, however, remains at the Prime Minister’s residence. He has been with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for nearly two hours after arriving for a private dinner.
The extended meeting underscores the significance both sides are attaching to the engagement during the Russian President’s two-day State visit.
India and Russia held the 22nd Inter Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation meeting in New Delhi, co chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov. Both sides reaffirmed their trusted strategic partnership ahead of the Modi Putin summit.
Singh stressed boosting India’s defence self reliance and expanding advanced technology cooperation. Belousov said Russia is ready to support India’s defence manufacturing capabilities. The ministers signed the session protocol outlining ongoing and future projects. Earlier, they paid tribute at the National War Memorial, where Belousov received a tri service guard of honour.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, the official residence of the Prime Minister, as the Russian leader’s two-day State visit to India got underway.
President Putin will hold the 23rd India Russia Annual Summit with Prime Minister Modi on December 5 in Delhi, where the two leaders will review defence, energy and strategic cooperation and outline the next steps in the bilateral partnership.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin to India,” as the Russian leader arrived for his two-day State visit.
Posting from his official X handle, he added, “Looking forward to our interactions later this evening and tomorrow. India-Russia friendship is a time tested one that has greatly benefitted our people.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently hosting a private dinner for Russian President Vladimir Putin this evening, a gesture that reflects the political importance both sides are attaching to the visit and to their bilateral relationship.
The meeting is expected to set the tone for the 23rd India Russia Summit on Friday, where the two leaders will review key areas of cooperation and chart the path for the next stage of the partnership.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to break protocol and personally receive President Vladimir Putin at the airport came as an unexpected gesture for the Russian side.
Peskov noted that the warm welcome underscored the importance India places on its relationship with Russia, adding that such personal hospitality from the Indian Prime Minister was both notable and appreciated by Moscow.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin travelled together in the same car as they left Palam Technical Airport in Delhi, marking a warm and symbolic start to the Russian leader’s two-day State visit.
President Putin, who arrived earlier today, will hold the 23rd India Russia Annual Summit with Prime Minister Modi on December 5. The meeting is expected to review ongoing cooperation in defence, energy and strategic sectors while charting the course for the next phase of the partnership.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a two-day State visit aimed at reinforcing the long-standing partnership between India and Russia.
During the visit, he is scheduled to hold the 23rd India Russia Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5 December. The two leaders are expected to review progress across key areas including defence cooperation, strategic partnership and energy collaboration, with a focus on strengthening bilateral ties and setting new directions for future engagement.
Russian President Valdimir Putin's aircraft lands in Delhi's Palam Technical Airport as he is set to step out of his special plane anytime soon. Notably, PM Narendra Modi is also present at the airport to receive his counterpart and close friend.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has landed in Delhi a short while back. PM Modi is also present at the airport to receive his counterpart.
Russia has been a longstanding and time-tested partner for India. Development of India-Russia relations has been a key pillar of India's foreign policy. Since the signing of the “Declaration on the India-Russia Strategic Partnership” in October 2000, India-Russia ties have acquired a qualitatively new character with enhanced levels of cooperation in almost all areas, including political, security, defense, trade and economy, science & technology, culture, and people-to-people ties. During the visit of the Russian President to India in December 2010, the Strategic Partnership was elevated to the level of “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”
India is preparing to deepen its defence partnership with Russia, with discussions expected to cover both the S-400 air defence system and the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
According to sources, India may consider procuring an additional two to three S-400 regiments. The proposed agreement could include up to 50 per cent technology transfer, enabling Bharat Dynamics Limited to undertake local missile production. The total value of the deal is estimated to fall between 18,000 crore and 24,000 crore rupees.
Alongside this, India and Russia will hold detailed talks on the Su-57 stealth fighter. Discussions are likely to focus on joint manufacturing, technology sharing and a possible induction for the Indian Air Force. The government may look at acquiring two to three squadrons, which are expected to cost between 35,000 crore and 40,000 crore rupees. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is also expected to play a key role in any potential arrangement.
These negotiations are seen as a significant step in strengthening long-term defence cooperation between the two countries.
President Vladimir Putin’s visit is expected to give a significant push to India Russia economic ties, with New Delhi keen to narrow the trade imbalance and expand its export footprint.
Putin is travelling with a large delegation of business leaders, signalling Moscow’s interest in widening commercial engagement. India is working on multiple avenues to boost its exports to Russia, with particular focus on pharmaceuticals, automobiles and agricultural goods, including marine products. Officials say a stronger presence in the Russian market would benefit Indian businesses and support job creation and rural livelihoods.
A series of agreements and memorandums of understanding are likely to be signed, covering shipping, healthcare, fertilisers and connectivity. Both sides are also expected to enhance cooperation in people to people exchanges, mobility initiatives, cultural ties and scientific collaboration.
The visit is being viewed as an opportunity to deepen long term economic and strategic partnerships.
