Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in New Delhi on Monday for a two-day summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on energy exports and defence pacts amid US tariffs. The visit underscores deepening Russia-India ties, with potential for new oil and arms agreements.
Putin India Visit 2025: Agenda and Expectations
Russian President Vladimir Putin lands in New Delhi on Monday, December 4, 2025, for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosts the two-day state visit, the first by Putin in four years. Talks centre on boosting bilateral trade, now at USD 65 billion annually, up 20% from last year. Putin travels with Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and chief executives from Rosneft, GazpromNeft, Rosoboronexport, and Sberbank.
The summit follows invitations exchanged during Modi’s July 2024 Moscow trip and recent SCO meetings in China. President Droupadi Murmu hosts a banquet on Tuesday evening. Leaders review progress in politics, economy, science, and culture. They also address regional security and global issues, including Ukraine peace efforts.
A joint statement caps the visit, alongside intergovernmental and business pacts. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed the agenda covers the “extensive scope” of the special and privileged strategic partnership. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the dates last week, noting opportunities to strengthen ties.
This Putin India visit 2025 revives momentum after limited high-level meets since 2021. Bilateral trade hit USD 65 billion in FY25, driven by energy imports. Russia supplies 40% of India’s crude needs, despite Western sanctions post-2022 Ukraine invasion.
Modi Putin Summit Energy: Oil Flows Under Pressure
Energy tops the Modi Putin summit energy discussions. Russia pitches for sustained oil sales to India, its largest seaborne buyer. India’s imports from Russia reached a record 1.8 million barrels per day in November 2025, per preliminary government data. State refiners like Indian Oil Corporation placed orders for December and January deliveries from non-sanctioned Russian entities.
US President Donald Trump doubled tariffs to 50% on Indian goods in August 2025 over these Russian oil India tariffs purchases. The move punishes New Delhi for funding Moscow’s war efforts, Trump stated in a White House briefing. Indian officials counter that energy security guides imports, prioritising affordability.
Moscow seeks India’s aid for spares and technical gear for sanctioned oil assets. India pushes to restore its 20% stake in the Sakhalin-1 project for ONGC Videsh Ltd, seized amid 2022 sanctions. Talks explore 500,000 barrels per day of discounted Urals crude, valued at USD 15 billion annually.
Prime Minister Modi, in a September 2025 SCO sideline meet with Putin, said the nations stood “shoulder to shoulder” in tough times. Their cooperation aids global peace and prosperity, he added. Putin praised Modi as a “wise leader” at the Valdai Club in Sochi last month, looking forward to the visit.
Civilian nuclear ties feature prominently in the Modi Putin summit energy agenda. Russia aims to supply up to 25 reactors via Rosatom, expanding from current Kudankulam units. Joint ventures in Arctic LNG and renewables could add USD 15 billion in investments by 2030.
Harsh Pant, head of foreign policy studies at Observer Research Foundation, noted energy trade loses traction under US sanctions. “Only defence remains to bind them,” Pant said in a recent interview. Yet, alternative payments like rupee-rouble and RuPay-Mir links sustain flows.
Russia India Defence Deals 2025: Arms Modernisation Push
Defence anchors the Putin India visit 2025. Russia offers Su-57 stealth fighters, with no Indian decision yet. India operates Sukhoi-30 jets in 24 of its 29 squadrons, needing ongoing spares and upgrades. Talks cover more S-400 air defence systems; India has three units, with two pending from the 2018 USD 5.4 billion deal.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh stated India will not freeze ties with Moscow. “We require continued support for Russian systems,” Singh said. Rosoboronexport’s CEO joins Putin to pitch missile and jet sales.
The visit revives delayed projects like a fifth-generation fighter and multi-role transport aircraft. Joint production of advanced weapons reflects deep trust, Putin said at Valdai. Bilateral defence trade hit USD 10 billion last year, per MEA data.
Michael Kugelman, senior South Asia fellow at Atlantic Council, called the summit substantive. “New arms deals are likely, even if low-hanging fruit,” Kugelman said. India seeks tech transfers for local manufacturing under Make in India.
Why This Matters for South Asia
The Putin India visit 2025 bolsters India’s strategic autonomy amid US pressure. Cheaper Russian oil curbs inflation, aiding 1.4 billion citizens. Defence pacts enhance border security, vital against China and Pakistan threats.
Pakistan views the ties warily, fearing arms imbalances. Dawn reported last week on potential S-400 impacts on regional dynamics. Yet, India-Russia cooperation promotes multipolarity via BRICS and SCO, benefiting South Asian stability.
Trade imbalances persist; Russia exports energy, imports little. Putin instructed Deputy PM Denis Manturov to address this, targeting USD 100 billion by 2030. Cultural exchanges grow, with 30,000 Indian students in Russia and a dedicated Bollywood channel.
Background: Enduring Partnership
India-Russia ties date to Soviet support in 1971 wars. Annual summits since 2000 ensure continuity. The 2024 joint statement set USD 30 billion trade goals, doubled by energy surges. Putin last visited in 2021; Modi went to Moscow twice in 2024.
Sanctions complicate matters. India abstains from UN votes against Russia, prioritising dialogue. The partnership spans space (Gaganyaan aid) and pharma (generics exports).
What’s Next
Post-summit, free trade talks with the Eurasian Economic Union advance from August 2025 agreements. Nuclear sites and LNG plants break ground in 2026. The Putin India visit 2025 sets visions for 25 more years of collaboration, per Kremlin statements.
Leaders may touch Ukraine de-escalation, with India hosting Geneva talks. Expect USD 20 billion in new pacts across sectors.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, December 2nd, 2025
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