Putin's Upcoming India Visit: Strengthening India-Russia Strategic Partnership Amid Global Tensions

Putin's India visit follows an invitation by PM Modi

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India on December 4-5 to participate in the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. This state visit comes at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as bilateral relations strengthen amid US sanctions over India's Russian oil imports.

The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed: "At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to India from 4-5 December 2025 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit."

During his stay, Putin will engage in bilateral talks with PM Modi. Additionally, President Droupadi Murmu will receive the Russian leader at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and host an official banquet in his honor.

The visit presents an opportunity for both nations to evaluate progress in their bilateral relationship, establish a vision for enhancing the 'Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,' and discuss regional and global matters of mutual concern.

Putin's upcoming India visit was initially announced in August during National Security Advisor Ajit Doval's Moscow trip, though the exact dates were finalized later.

PM Modi and Putin previously met in September during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China, where they held an hour-long conversation in the Russian leader's limousine.

Earlier this month, PM Modi extended greetings to Putin through Russian presidential aide Nikolai Patrushev during the latter's Delhi visit. The Prime Minister expressed his anticipation of hosting Putin in India in December.

India and Russia maintain robust bilateral relations with trade and investment connections dating back to the Soviet era. The countries have enhanced economic cooperation over time, with Russia serving as one of India's primary arms suppliers. India has also emerged as a major importer of Russian oil.

Former US President Trump had criticized India's Russian oil purchases, claiming they funded the Ukraine conflict.

Putin's visit could represent a significant moment in India's geopolitical strategy, reinforcing Indo-Russian relations while India carefully manages its complex relationship with Washington.

The Russian President has limited his international travel since the Ukraine war began, particularly due to the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant. As India is not a signatory to the ICC, it has no obligation to detain the Russian leader during his visit.