Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in the national capital on Thursday evening for a two-day state visit to India, with defence cooperation, trade expansion and energy ties set to dominate discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Soon after his arrival, President Putin is scheduled to join PM Modi for a private dinner in New Delhi, a gesture that mirrors the informal engagement hosted by the Russian leader during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Moscow last year. The visit comes amid evolving global geopolitics and renewed focus on India–Russia strategic cooperation.
The centrepiece of the visit will be the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, slated for Friday, where the two leaders will hold delegation-level talks. Officials indicated that defence collaboration will be a key focus, alongside deliberations on trade diversification, energy security and regional issues.
Ahead of the visit, Moscow cleared a significant defence-related agreement with New Delhi, signalling fresh momentum in military cooperation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has also stated that the possible supply of Russia’s Su-57 fighter jets to India could feature in discussions.
This marks President Putin’s first visit to India since the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict, a backdrop that adds diplomatic weight to the summit. On Friday morning, he will be accorded a ceremonial welcome, followed by structured talks with the Indian leadership.
Multiple agreements are expected to be signed during the visit. These include a proposed arrangement to facilitate the movement of Indian skilled workers to Russia, as well as discussions on India’s proposed free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, which New Delhi sees as a pathway to deeper economic integration.
After the summit talks, President Putin will attend a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. He is also scheduled to launch a new India-focused channel of Russia’s state-owned broadcaster RT, indicating efforts to expand bilateral media and cultural engagement.
Ahead of the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs said the state visit would allow both sides to review bilateral progress, set a future roadmap for strengthening the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’, and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.
The visit is being closely watched as New Delhi continues to balance strategic partnerships amid shifting global alignments, while sustaining long-standing ties with Moscow across defence, energy and diplomacy.
