Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit India on December 4-5, 2025, to attend the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit marks Putin’s first trip to India since December 2021, just months before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
During the visit, Putin will hold bilateral talks with Modi and meet Indian President Droupadi Murmu, aiming to review and strengthen the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” between the two nations. This strategic partnership encompasses various domains, including trade, economics, technology, culture, and humanitarian cooperation.
The visit is significant as it occurs amid complex global and regional geopolitical developments. India and Russia are expected to discuss a range of issues, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, settlement of trade in national currencies, military cooperation like the supply of the S-400 missile defense system, rail manufacturing collaboration, trade, and energy cooperation. This summit reaffirms the longstanding relationship between India and Russia, which India views as a crucial friend and partner in maintaining strategic autonomy in its foreign policy.
The Kremlin describes the visit as a valuable opportunity to engage deeply on the broad agenda concerning bilateral relations, highlighting the unique and privileged status of the India-Russia partnership. Both nations have set an ambitious bilateral trade target of 100 billion dollar by 2030, reflecting the economic stakes involved. This visit also serves as a diplomatic message of defiance against Western pressures and sanctions, with India positioning itself as a global leader willing to maintain independent and balanced foreign relations.
Prime Minister Modi’s personality-driven foreign policy has been evident in his warm engagement with Putin, reinforcing mutual trust and cooperation. The camaraderie between the two leaders is underscored by informal exchanges demonstrating a strong personal rapport, which plays a pivotal role in sustaining the bilateral ties through turbulent times. The visit will feature several intergovernmental and commercial agreements expected to be signed, although specific deals have not been detailed publicly.
Overall, Putin’s visit to India in December 2025 represents both a continuation of a historic friendship and a strategic effort to navigate a rapidly evolving global stage with pragmatic cooperation across multiple sectors. This high-profile state visit will reinforce the partnership, underscoring India’s role as a “Vishwa Bandhu” (global friend) and its nuanced foreign policy amidst competing global powers.