December 4th 2025.
New Delhi: On Thursday evening, Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to arrive in New Delhi for a highly-anticipated 27-hour official visit. This marks his first trip to India in four years and his first since the Ukraine conflict began. The visit is expected to be short but incredibly significant as both countries aim to strengthen their relationship, which Russia has often referred to as a "special and privileged strategic partnership."
The city of Delhi has been adorned with welcoming flex boards and Russian flags along Teen Murti Marg in preparation for President Putin's arrival. The visit comes at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has extended a State visit to India for President Putin from December 4-5, 2025. The 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit is expected to be a key event during this visit.
Here is a breakdown of President Putin's itinerary during his time in India:
Thursday
• Around 6:30 pm: Arrival in New Delhi
• Straight to Prime Minister Modi's residence for a one-on-one dinner meeting
• Around 8:30 pm: Returns to hotel for the night
Friday
• Around 11:00 am: Meeting with the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan
• Visit to Rajghat for approximately 30 minutes
• Moves to Hyderabad House for engagements throughout the afternoon
• Around 2:00 pm: Lunch hosted by Prime Minister Modi
• Just before lunch: Expected press statement
• Post lunch: Visit to Bharat Mandapam
• Evening: Attends RT TV launch
• Around 7:30 pm: Dinner at Rashtrapati Bhavan
• Departure shortly after, concluding the 27-hour visit
Reports suggest that the discussions at Hyderabad House will revolve around bilateral cooperation across various sectors, with both sides eager to maintain momentum despite global turbulence. This visit holds great strategic significance for both nations.
For India, the timing is crucial as the government navigates between maintaining strategic autonomy, handling pressure from Western countries, and relying on Russia for defense supplies, crude oil, and fertilizers. On the other hand, for Russia, this visit provides an opportunity to strengthen ties with a long-standing, stable partner and discuss new economic arrangements in the face of sanctions and a rapidly changing global order.
The Kremlin has repeatedly emphasized the depth of the India-Russia relationship. In a recent briefing in New Delhi, Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov highlighted how Russia has stood by India during crucial phases of nation-building, and how this enduring partnership remains at the core of Moscow's foreign policy.
Indian officials have also expressed their satisfaction with the summit mechanism, which was initiated during President Putin's first visit to India in 2000. They believe that this format has been instrumental in maintaining diplomatic momentum between the two countries. This year's summit marks the 23rd edition of this significant format.
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