Putin in India today: Su-57 jets, trade talks on agenda
What's the story
Russian President Vladimir Putin will arrive in New Delhi on Thursday evening for a two-day visit. He is visiting India to attend the 23rd India-Russia annual summit at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is his first trip to India since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The visit will focus on strengthening defense ties and boosting trade and energy cooperation between the two countries.
Agenda details
Putin's visit includes meeting with President Murmu
Putin's itinerary includes a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu and a private dinner hosted by Prime Minister Modi. The dinner is a reciprocation of a similar gesture extended to PM Modi during his visit to Moscow in July last year. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said discussions between Modi and Putin may include Russia supplying Su-57 fighter jets to India. India is in the process of acquiring a batch of fifth-generation fighter jets.
Trade discussions
Putin's visit aims to enhance India-Russia trade
The visit also aims to raise bilateral trade from $68 billion to $100 billion by 2030. Both countries will discuss measures to insulate their trade from US sanctions and improve transaction systems in their own currencies. Officials informed PTI that India is also considering increasing cooperation in the fertilizer sector. Russia supplies three-four million tons of fertilizer to India annually. The two sides are also expected to sign agreements, including one on facilitating the movement of Indian workers to Russia.
Twitter Post
Flex boards welcoming Putin
#WATCH | Delhi: Flex boards welcoming Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian national flags put up around Teen Murti Marg.
— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2025
At the invitation of PM Narendra Modi, President Putin will pay a State visit to India from 4-5 December 2025 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.… pic.twitter.com/9tsXUYU9Nb
Geopolitical context
Putin's visit comes amid strained India-US relations
The visit comes at a time when India-US ties are strained due to high American tariffs related to Russian oil imports. New Delhi is likely to raise concerns over the expanding trade deficit due to high volumes of Russian crude imports. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said India's crude oil purchases from Russia may decline temporarily due to Western sanctions, but Moscow is taking steps to enhance supplies.
Defense discussions
Putin will inaugurate RT office
At the conference, Putin is also likely to brief Modi on the latest US efforts to end the Ukraine crisis. India has repeatedly maintained that dialogue and diplomacy are the only ways to end the conflict. After the summit, Putin will inaugurate the Russian state-run network RT and later attend a state banquet hosted by President Murmu.