Putin Likely to Visit India in Early December
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to travel to India on December 5–6, 2025, for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to sources familiar with the matter. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has confirmed his own visit to India ahead of Putin, indicating preparations for the summit are underway.
Details and Significance
While no official announcement has been made by Indian or Russian governments, insiders say dates are being finalised. The summit is likely to cover strategic areas such as defence cooperation, energy trade, and regional security. Putin’s trip would be his first to India since early in his presidency and his first since the war in Ukraine began.
Lavrov, speaking at the UN General Assembly, said the visit is being planned and highlighted longstanding India-Russia ties. He described the relationship as encompassing “all-round cooperation.”
Context and Timing
The visit comes amid diplomatic pressure on India from the United States over its continued imports of Russian oil. Under U.S. trade policy, India faces higher tariffs linked to its energy trade with Moscow. The visit may help India and Russia reaffirm their strategic partnership in the face of global realignments.
The two sides are likely to issue a joint statement outlining future collaborations in defence, nuclear energy, and infrastructure development during the December summit.
