Russian President Putin to arrive in India today for two-day visit; Modi to host private dinner

Russian President Vladimir Putin will arrive in India on Thursday for a two-day trip, during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host him for a private dinner soon after he lands in New Delhi. The visit comes at a time when India is looking to strengthen its strategic and economic ties with Russia, even as its relationship with the United States faces significant strain.

Defence cooperation, measures to shield bilateral trade from external disruptions, and discussions on collaboration in small modular reactors are expected to dominate Friday’s summit between Modi and Putin. Western nations are likely to observe the meeting closely.

Putin is expected to land in New Delhi at around 4:30 pm on Thursday. Later in the evening, Modi will host him for a private dinner, mirroring the hospitality Putin extended to the Indian prime minister during his visit to Moscow in July last year.

On Friday, the Russian leader will receive a ceremonial welcome before the commencement of the 23rd India–Russia summit. Modi will also host a working lunch for Putin and his delegation at Hyderabad House, where the talks will take place. People familiar with the preparations said Putin will visit Rajghat in the morning.

After the summit concludes, Putin is scheduled to inaugurate the new India channel of the Russian state broadcaster RT. He will subsequently attend a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. His departure from India is expected around 9:30 pm on Friday, ending his nearly 28-hour-long visit.

India is likely to raise concerns over the widening trade imbalance, largely driven by its increased imports of Russian crude oil. The visit comes at a time when relations between New Delhi and Washington are at their lowest point in roughly twenty years, following the US decision to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, including extra duties linked to India’s purchase of Russian crude.

The summit discussions are also expected to cover the impact of recent US sanctions on India’s ability to continue importing Russian oil. On Tuesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that India’s crude purchases from Russia may temporarily dip because of Western sanctions, though he added that Moscow is taking steps to stabilise supply.

Putin is also expected to brief Modi on the latest American initiatives aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict. India has consistently maintained that “dialogue and diplomacy” remain the only viable route to ending the war.

Following the talks, the two sides are likely to sign several agreements, including one to ease the movement of Indian workers to Russia and another pertaining to logistical support under defence cooperation frameworks. Officials indicated that Indian exports to Russia—especially pharmaceuticals, agricultural goods, food items and consumer products—are expected to rise significantly, helping reduce the growing trade deficit.

India currently imports about USD 65 billion worth of goods and services from Russia annually, while its exports amount to roughly USD 5 billion. Cooperation in the fertiliser sector is also on the agenda, with Russia supplying three to four million tonnes of fertilisers to India each year. Discussions may also cover India’s proposed free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union.

Ahead of the summit, the defence ministers of both nations will meet on Thursday for extensive discussions, including India’s plans to buy additional S-400 missile system units and other vital defence equipment. The S-400 systems were found to be highly effective during Operation Sindoor, according to senior military officials. The broader objective of the talks is to strengthen defence and security ties, with an emphasis on ensuring faster delivery of Russian military hardware.

India had sealed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia in October 2018 for five S-400 units despite US warnings that the agreement could draw sanctions under its CAATSA law. Peskov also said that talks may touch upon the possible supply of Su-57 fighter jets to India, which is currently evaluating options for a fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The Rafale, F-21, F/A-18 and Eurofighter Typhoon are among the other contenders.

Energy cooperation is likely to be another key area of discussion. Russia has reportedly offered India additional discounts on crude oil purchases after a recent dip in supply caused by new US sanctions targeting two Russian oil producers.

India and Russia hold an annual summit to review the full range of bilateral relations, with 22 meetings held so far in both countries. Putin last visited New Delhi in 2021, while Modi travelled to Moscow for the summit in July last year. Russia continues to be one of India’s most trusted partners and remains central to New Delhi’s foreign policy.