Putin set to visit India on Dec 5-6 for annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to visit India on December 5-6 for annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the two sides seek to widen strategic partnership amid global uncertainties and the big power rivalry.

This will be Putin's first visit to India since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022. Putin last visited India in December 2021 when he drove straight from the airport to the Hyderabad House for the annual summit.

Modi and Putin will hold the 23rd summit with a strong focus on defence, traditional energy, nuclear energy, agriculture and trade cooperation. On agenda is the Russian proposal for supply of SU57 fighter jets, with the offer of 70% transfer of technology, leading to joint production at a later stage and India's quest for additional S400 missile defence system and offer of joint production of S500 system. Also on agenda is the missile systems and equipment for the Navy.


In recent years, agriculture has emerged as a new area of cooperation and expanding supply of fertilisers to India will also be on the agenda. Joint production of agricultural products is on the agenda which was discussed further during the Russian deputy PM's recent trip here.

The visit will take place in the backdrop of weaponisation of tariffs by the Trump administration. Russia is working to give market access to Indian exporters hit by US tariffs.

The Modi government has maintained that India pursues a policy of strategic autonomy and is guided by national interests with India's time-tested ties being a pillar of Indian foreign policy. India-Russia strategic partnership continues to be a stabilising factor in Eurasia contributing to multipolarity and enabling to counterbalance big power ambitions.

Since August, Modi and Putin have spoken thrice over phone and engaged in a wide-ranging in-person meeting in Tianjin on the sidelines of the SCO summit.