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Putin’s India visit on December 4-5 could reshape defense and strategic ties. Will the S-400 missile deal go through? Could India acquire the Su-57 stealth fighter? Discover what’s on the agenda at the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.
Putin’s state visit to India aims to deepen strategic partnership
New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to pay a state visit to India from December 4-5, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, officials announced.
The visit will coincide with the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, where both leaders are expected to hold high-level talks on strategic, defense, energy, and economic cooperation. President Putin will also be formally received by the President of India, followed by a ceremonial banquet in his honour.
This visit marks President Putin’s first trip to India since 2021, and comes after their last face-to-face meeting in Tianjin, China, on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in September 2025.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the two-day visit will allow India and Russia to review the progress of their bilateral relations, chart a vision for strengthening the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’, and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
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Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov emphasized that the visit represents a “return to the tradition of annual high-level summits” and is a major step in deepening strategic ties.
He added that the accompanying India-Russia Forum in New Delhi will bring together senior government officials and business leaders to explore avenues to expand bilateral trade and enhance cooperation in sectors such as equipment, raw materials, and food exports.
Defense deals are expected to dominate the discussions. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the sale of additional S-400 long-range anti-aircraft missile systems could be on the agenda. “Highly on the agenda and this could be discussed. Russian arms account for 36% of India’s armed forces and will hopefully continue,” Peskov said.
Russia also expressed gratitude to India for its “very friendly stand”
The Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter jet is also likely to be discussed. Peskov described the Su-57 as “the best plane in the world” and stated that India’s interest in the aircraft would be part of the official talks. Earlier, Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state arms exporter, offered India both license production of air weapons for future-generation aircraft and integration of Indian weaponry into Russian platforms.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh reiterated India’s commitment to strategic autonomy, stating that while India values its defense partnership with Russia, it maintains an independent approach in international dealings.
Beyond defense, the summit is expected to cover civil nuclear energy, interdepartmental agreements, and broad economic cooperation. Both nations are likely to adopt a joint statement and sign a wide array of business and government agreements.
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Bilateral trade, which hovered around $10–12 billion before 2022, has surged to $50–60 billion, largely due to discounted Russian oil imports.
Since 2000, India and Russia have shared a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership”, with defense, energy, and space as key pillars. The upcoming summit aims to reinforce these ties and give new momentum to strategic cooperation across multiple sectors.
The December summit represents a critical moment in India-Russia relations. By combining defense deals, energy cooperation, and trade expansion with high-level diplomatic engagement, the visit is expected to strengthen the partnership and pave the way for deeper collaboration in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
