Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to India on December 4–5 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Friday. The announcement ends months of anticipation and comes at a time when New Delhi and Moscow continue to strengthen their long-standing partnership despite shifting global alignments.
According to the official statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has formally invited President Putin for a state visit. The MEA noted that the two leaders will engage in high-level talks, while India’s President will host a ceremonial banquet in honor of the visiting head of state.
The ministry emphasized that the upcoming summit will allow both nations to assess progress across their diverse areas of cooperation and outline new goals for their “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.” Discussions are expected to span major regional and global developments, reflecting the wide-ranging nature of the relationship.
Early indications of the visit surfaced after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s trip to Moscow in August, followed by Modi and Putin’s interactions at the SCO Summit in China. Their warm exchanges — including a notable moment when Modi accompanied Putin in his limousine — underscored the close rapport shared by the two leaders.
The geopolitical backdrop adds weight to the visit. Ties between Washington and New Delhi briefly tightened after former US President Donald Trump accused India of indirectly aiding Russia’s war effort by purchasing discounted crude. India, however, maintained that its energy decisions are driven purely by affordability and national priorities.
Putin’s arrival is expected to focus on defense cooperation, energy partnerships, trade growth, and regional security issues, including developments in Ukraine, West Asia, and the Indo-Pacific. With both countries preparing actively, the summit signals continuity in a relationship that has remained steady despite major global disruptions.
Putin last visited India in December 2021. More recently, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met him in Moscow, conveying Modi’s greetings and reviewing preparations for the summit. In Delhi, Nikolai Patrushev, a key Kremlin advisor, also met Modi, with both sides highlighting new opportunities in maritime cooperation, connectivity, shipbuilding, and blue economy initiatives.
