Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to India on December 4 and 5 for a state visit hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both governments confirmed on Friday. The trip will mark Putin’s first visit to New Delhi since 2021 and is expected to focus on bilateral ties, global security concerns, and economic cooperation.
The visit comes at a sensitive moment for the relationship, with India balancing long-standing defence and energy links with Moscow while also facing pressure from Western partners over its continued purchases of Russian crude. According to Reuters and other foreign outlets, India has remained one of the largest buyers of Russia’s discounted oil since 2022, even as Washington urged New Delhi to reduce those imports.
The Kremlin said the two leaders would hold formal talks in New Delhi and that Putin would meet separately with Indian President Droupadi Murmu. Russian officials said the trip would include the signing of several agreements covering government cooperation and commercial matters, though no details were released.
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In a statement, the Kremlin described the upcoming discussions as “of great importance”, adding that the visit would allow both sides to review the full range of issues within what Moscow calls a privileged strategic partnership. Russian officials noted that the relationship spans political engagement, trade, scientific and cultural ties, and humanitarian cooperation.
Putin’s last trip to India took place in December 2021, just months before Russia sent troops into Ukraine. Since then, New Delhi has maintained relations with Moscow while expanding security and technology cooperation with the United States, the European Union, Japan, and Australia. India has declined to join Western sanctions, repeatedly stressing that its decisions on energy purchases are guided by national interest and domestic fuel demands.
Meanwhile, trade and refining sources told Reuters this week that India’s imports of Russian crude were set to fall to their lowest level in at least three years in December. The decline comes as refiners seek alternative suppliers to avoid exposure to Western restrictions linked to price caps and shipping rules.
The December talks are expected to revisit long-standing defence cooperation, energy supplies, and coordination in multilateral forums such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Additional details on the visit’s agenda are likely to emerge in the coming days as officials in both capitals complete preparations.
