Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in New Delhi on December 4–5, 2025 for his first visit since the Ukraine war began, marking the 23rd annual India–Russia summit.
At the heart of the visit was a strengthening of the “special and privileged strategic partnership” between the two countries. Defence cooperation topped the agenda, with India and Russia agreeing to enhance collaboration on niche military technologies, joint production efforts, and long-term logistics support under recently ratified pacts.
Despite pressure from the U.S. and EU over Western sanctions on Russia, India reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strategic autonomy. The two nations discussed supplying additional air-defence systems (including more S-400 batteries), upgrading fighter capabilities, and deepening co-production of missiles and other defence hardware.
On the economic front, Moscow expressed interest in reducing trade imbalances by importing more Indian goods and stabilising energy supplies. Talks also covered alternative payment mechanisms and trade architecture less vulnerable to global sanctions.
Putin’s visit is being seen as a reaffirmation of long-standing bilateral ties, a message that, despite global tension and shifting alliances, India and Russia continue to view each other as “reliable strategic partners.”
