President Putin Begins Two-Day India Visit as Delhi, Moscow Deepen Strategic and Defence Ties

New Delhi, Dec 3: Russian President Vladimir Putin will begin his two-day state visit to India on Thursday evening, marking his first trip to New Delhi since the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host him for a private dinner shortly after his arrival, setting the tone for the high-level engagements scheduled for Friday.

The 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, to be held on Friday, comes at a crucial juncture as New Delhi navigates geopolitical pressure following punitive sanctions imposed recently by the United States. The summit is expected to focus on strengthening defence cooperation, expanding trade, and enhancing energy partnerships between the two long-standing strategic partners.

Ahead of the visit, Moscow has cleared a key defence agreement with India, reflecting renewed momentum in bilateral military cooperation. President Putin’s arrival will be followed by a ceremonial welcome on Friday morning, after which he will pay homage at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Rajghat, a customary gesture for visiting heads of state.

Formal talks will thereafter take place at Hyderabad House, where Prime Minister Modi will hold delegation-level discussions with the Russian leader. A working lunch will also be hosted in Putin’s honour. Following the summit, President Putin will attend a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The Kremlin has indicated that defence will be one of the central pillars of the discussions. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has confirmed that India’s potential interest in Russia’s Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets may be taken up. India is currently evaluating next-generation fighter platforms, with contenders including the Rafale, F-21, F/A-18, and the Eurofighter Typhoon.

India is also expected to press for faster delivery of pending military hardware, especially in light of delays since the start of the Ukraine war. Among the key systems under discussion will be the additional S-400 air defence missile systems. India signed a USD 5 billion deal in 2018 for five S-400 units. Three squadrons have already been delivered, while two more are expected by mid-next year. These systems were reportedly used effectively during Operation Sindoor.

Energy security will feature prominently during the talks, particularly in light of recent US sanctions that directly affect India’s imports of Russian crude oil. President Putin is expected to brief PM Modi on the impact of these sanctions, with Peskov indicating that Indian purchases could decline for a short period, though Russia remains committed to sustaining supplies to its partners.

The defence ministers of both nations — Rajnath Singh and Andrey Belousov — are also expected to hold parallel discussions focused on key military platforms, technology transfers, and joint manufacturing initiatives under the ‘Make in India’ framework.

The visit is also likely to yield several bilateral agreements, including one to facilitate the movement of Indian workers to Russia. Another major item on the agenda will be India’s proposed free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, which New Delhi views as a gateway to strengthening economic engagement with the broader region.

In an official statement issued earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs said the visit would allow both sides to review progress and set the future vision of the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,” while also exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

President Putin is also scheduled to launch the new India channel of Russia’s state-run broadcaster RT during his visit, signalling an expansion of media outreach and soft-power engagement.

The visit takes place amid recent strains in India-US ties, after Washington imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods and additional levies linked to India’s purchase of Russian crude oil. Against this backdrop, President Putin is also expected to brief Prime Minister Modi on the latest US diplomatic initiatives concerning the Ukraine conflict. India has consistently maintained that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to peace, positioning itself as a constructive mediator while avoiding public criticism of Moscow.

Team Maverick.