December 5, 2025
The trip marks the 25th anniversary of the India-Russia strategic partnership and the 23rd bilateral summit
Modi will host a private dinner, followed by formal talks, a ceremonial welcome and major agreement signings on Friday
A large Russian ministerial delegation is accompanying Putin, reflecting the breadth of the agenda
Talks will focus on trade imbalance issues, the 2030 economic cooperation roadmap and a series of sectoral agreements
Russian President Vladimir Putin will arrive in Delhi on Thursday evening, beginning a two-day state visit during which India and Russia are expected to sign several agreements. He is visiting India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and this is his first trip to the country since the war in Ukraine began. The visit is historic, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the India-Russia strategic partnership and the 23rd bilateral summit between the two countries.
After his arrival, Putin will attend a private dinner hosted by Modi at the prime minister’s official residence. On Friday morning, he will receive a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, including a tri-service Guard of Honour. He will then visit Rajghat before holding formal talks with Modi at Hyderabad House. Major announcements and agreement signings are expected after the talks, followed by a joint media statement.
Putin will be accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut, Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev and Transport Minister Roman Nikitin. Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina is also part of the visiting group.
Russian presidential aide Uri Ushakov said the talks between Putin and Modi will remain regular and confidential. The leaders last met on September 1 in Tianjin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit and have held five phone conversations this year. Ahead of the Delhi visit, Putin met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Moscow twice as part of preparations. The timing of the visit aligns with the 15th anniversary of the 2009 Joint Statement that elevated the relationship to a special and privileged strategic partnership. Both sides expect the summit to review cooperation in security, the economy, finance, transport, technology, education and culture.
Ushakov said the economic discussions will include India’s concerns about the trade imbalance as bilateral trade rose 12% in 2024 to $63.6 billion. He said Russia is prepared to address these concerns and has proposed mechanisms to protect bilateral transactions from external pressure. A major outcome of the visit is expected to be the Programme for the Development of Strategic Areas of Russian-Indian Economic Cooperation until 2030, along with sector-specific agreements covering trade, energy, agriculture, health, and media. The Intergovernmental Commission’s August meeting in Moscow reviewed large projects in industrial cooperation, innovative technology, mining, transport connectivity, space, healthcare and labour mobility.
Modi and Putin will also address the India-Russia Business Forum at Bharat Mandapam on Friday afternoon, highlighting investment prospects, manufacturing partnerships and collaboration in technology. Ushakov noted that people-to-people engagement is increasing, with Russians making more than 80,000 trips to India in 2024 and Indians visiting Russia more than 40,000 times. He said tourism and cultural exchange have substantial growth potential.
Defence cooperation will be a major focus of the summit. India and Russia are expected to assess progress on advanced BrahMos variants, including lighter air-launched models such as BrahMos NG and extended range versions. Discussions are likely to cover hypersonic systems, long-range air-to-air missiles and India’s planned procurement of additional S-400 missiles. BrahMos, a flagship joint venture, was operationally deployed during Operation Sindoor and has entered the export market, beginning with the Philippines.
The leaders will also exchange views on global developments and cooperation at the UN, SCO, G20 and BRICS. Russia said it expects to coordinate closely with India as it prepares to take on the BRICS chairmanship in 2026. President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet for Putin on Friday evening, after which he will depart for Moscow.
Source: India Today