NEW DELHI, Dec 4: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening for a high-profile two-day visit aimed at strengthening the long-standing India–Russia partnership, which has endured for nearly eight decades despite shifting global alliances and geopolitical turbulence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting a private dinner for the Russian president tonight, setting the stage for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, scheduled for Friday. The visit is being closely monitored by Western capitals, particularly as it comes amid visible strain in India–US relations, lending added diplomatic weight to Putin’s presence in Delhi.
According to officials, the summit’s agenda is expected to prioritize:
• Enhancement of defence cooperation, including long-term military projects
• Safeguarding bilateral trade from sanctions and external economic pressures
• Exploration of collaboration in small modular nuclear reactors, a sector where Russia holds significant technological expertise
Putin’s tightly packed 27-hour visit signals Moscow’s intent to reaffirm its strategic closeness with New Delhi at a time when global fault lines are intensifying. Several agreements across sectors, particularly trade, energy, and technology, are expected to be finalized during the summit.
On Friday morning, President Putin will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, after which formal talks between the two delegations will begin. Modi will also host a working lunch at Hyderabad House, the traditional venue for bilateral summits.
Putin’s schedule includes a visit to Rajghat, where he will pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. Later in the day, he is set to launch the new India channel of Russia’s state-run broadcaster, marking a fresh push in media cooperation between the two nations.
In the evening, President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet in honour of the visiting leader. Putin is expected to depart from New Delhi around 9 pm on Friday, concluding what analysts describe as a strategically significant and symbolically potent visit.