Putin's India Visit: Modi Greets Russian President

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening the India-Russia strategic partnership.

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Dec 4, 2025 - 19:53

Putin's India Visit: Modi Greets Russian President

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a private dinner for Mr. Putin this evening to set the tone for the 23rd India-Russia Summit talks on Friday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will begin his two-day visit to India on Thursday (December 4, 2025) for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is his first visit to India in four years. The talks between the two leaders are expected to focus on enhancing defense ties, protecting bilateral trade from external pressure, and the potential for cooperation in small modular reactors.

Putin's India Visit: A Difficult Time for the Modi Government

The Russian President arrived in New Delhi on Thursday (December 4, 2025), and a few hours later, PM Modi will host him for a private dinner in reciprocity to a similar gesture the Russian leader extended to the Indian Prime Minister during his visit to Moscow in July last year.

On Friday (December 5, 2025), Mr. Putin will be formally welcomed ahead of the 23rd India-Russia Summit. Following the summit, Mr. Putin will launch the new India channel of Russia's state broadcaster RT, after which he will attend a state banquet hosted in his honor by President Draupadi Murmu.

Ahead of Putin's state visit, the Russian Parliament approved a key agreement with India on military and logistical support.

Mr. Putin's visit marks the 25th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between India and Russia, which began in October 2000. During the Russian President's visit to India in December 2010, the Strategic Partnership was elevated to a "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership."

Russian President Putin arrives in Delhi for a two-day visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening for a two-day visit. His aim is to further strengthen the nearly eight-decade-old India-Russia partnership, which has endured despite the difficult geopolitical environment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a private dinner for Mr. Putin this evening to set the stage for the 23rd India-Russia Summit on Friday.

Enhancing defense ties, protecting India-Russia trade from external pressure, and exploring cooperation in small modular reactors will be the focus of the summit meeting between the two leaders, which is expected to be closely watched by Western countries.

MoS Sanjay Seth welcomes Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov in New Delhi

The Ministry of Defense said in an official statement that Minister of State for Defense Sanjay Seth welcomed Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov at the Air Force Station in Palam, New Delhi on Thursday.

Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan was also present at the reception. The Ministry of Defense said, "Minister of State for Defense Shri @SethSanjayMP welcomed Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov at the Air Force Station in Palam, New Delhi today. Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan was also present."

NDMC spruces up Lutyens' Delhi ahead of Putin's high-profile visit

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has intensified beautification and maintenance work in Lutyens' Delhi ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's arrival in the national capital on Thursday for a nearly 27-hour visit.

A senior NDMC official said that given the presence of important institutions like the Prime Minister's Office, Parliament, and various ministries, the civic body maintains the highest standards of cleanliness throughout the year.

"NDMC is the number one area in the country in terms of cleanliness because this area is so important. The NDMC area is always prepared, and this is a year-round process, but we inspect all our facilities before such an important visit," the official told PTI.