Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India on December 4 and 5, the Kremlin confirmed on Friday, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issuing an official statement shortly after. The visit comes at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking Putin’s first trip to India since 2021.
Putin will visit New Delhi — here’s what’s planned
According to the MEA, New Delhi will be the primary and only stop during President Putin’s two-day India tour. He will hold bilateral talks with PM Modi in the national capital, where both leaders are expected to discuss:
- Progress in the India–Russia relationship
- Defence and energy cooperation
- Trade and investment
- Regional security issues
- Global geopolitical developments
President Droupadi Murmu will also receive Putin in New Delhi and host a state banquet in his honour.
Why New Delhi is the focus
As the seat of India’s central government and the hub for high-level diplomatic engagements, New Delhi routinely hosts major state visits. This visit is no different, with all official meetings, ceremonial engagements and bilateral discussions scheduled in the national capital.
There has been no indication from the MEA or the Kremlin of any additional city or state visits as part of Putin’s December 4–5 itinerary.
What the visit aims to achieve
The MEA said the state visit will offer an opportunity for both sides to:
- Review ongoing cooperation
- Set the vision for the next phase of India–Russia ties
- Strengthen the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership”
- Exchange views on regional and global issues
Officials noted that the focus will be on the overall state of the partnership and long-term plans to deepen ties.