India and Russia Expected to Sign Major Agreements as President Putin Begins State Visit on December 4
President Vladimir Putin will begin a two-day state visit to New Delhi on December 4–5, with both countries preparing to sign several important agreements covering trade, health, energy, agriculture, technology, media and cultural exchange. The visit marks a significant milestone as India and Russia celebrate 25 years of their strategic partnership and hold the 23rd annual bilateral summit.
This will be Putin’s first visit to India since the start of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. The Russian President is expected to arrive in New Delhi on the evening of December 4, beginning his trip with a private dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The state visit will formally begin the next morning with a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan and a tri-service guard of honour.
Putin’s Schedule and High-Level Delegation
After the ceremonial welcome, President Putin will visit Rajghat to pay his respects before proceeding to Hyderabad House for formal talks with Prime Minister Modi. A series of announcements and the signing of multiple MoUs are expected after the summit-level discussions, followed by a joint media statement.
Putin will be accompanied by a high-profile delegation of seven key Russian ministers. The group includes Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut, Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev and Transport Minister Roman Nikitin. The Governor of the Russian Central Bank, Elvira Nabiullina, will also be part of the visiting team.
The presence of such an extensive delegation signals the breadth of areas in which India and Russia are planning enhanced cooperation.
Regular and Confidential High-Level Dialogue
Russian presidential aide Uri Ushakov said that the political dialogue between India and Russia remains regular and confidential. The two leaders have already met on five occasions over the past year, including on the sidelines of the SCO Heads of State Summit in Tianjin on September 1.
In preparation for Putin’s visit, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited Moscow, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also met Russian officials twice during the year. The visit coincides with the 15th anniversary of the 2009 joint statement that elevated the India–Russia partnership to the level of a “special and privileged strategic partnership”.
The summit is expected to review cooperation across key sectors such as security, economy, finance, transportation, technology, education, and cultural exchange.
Economic Focus: Trade Imbalance and 2030 Roadmap
Economic discussions will play a major role during the summit. Bilateral trade between the two nations touched USD 63.6 billion in 2024, marking a 12 per cent rise. However, India remains concerned about its trade deficit with Russia, driven largely by increased imports of discounted crude oil since 2022.
Russian officials have indicated that mechanisms will be discussed to reduce the trade imbalance and insulate bilateral financial transactions from external pressure. A key deliverable of the visit is expected to be the Program for the Development of Strategic Areas of Russian–Indian Economic Cooperation until 2030. This long-term roadmap will cover strategic sectors including trade, energy, agriculture, media, health, investment, and technology.
The recent meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission in Moscow reviewed several major projects in industrial cooperation, mining, digital innovation, transport connectivity, space research, healthcare and skilled labour mobility.
Growing People-to-People Links
People-to-people interaction between India and Russia has grown steadily. In 2024, more than 80,000 Russian tourists visited India, while over 40,000 Indians travelled to Russia. Both sides believe tourism and cultural exchange hold significant room for growth, especially with simplified visa procedures and new travel routes under discussion.
Cultural, academic and media cooperation agreements are expected to be part of the MoUs signed during the visit.
India–Russia Business Forum to Highlight Investment Opportunities
On the afternoon of December 5, Prime Minister Modi and President Putin will jointly address the India–Russia Business Forum at Bharat Mandapam. The event will highlight investment opportunities, joint manufacturing ventures, energy cooperation and collaboration in advanced technologies.
The business forum is designed to connect industry leaders, government officials and companies from both countries to explore new partnerships across sectors including defence, pharmaceuticals, heavy engineering, digital technology and transportation.
Defence Cooperation to Feature Prominently
Defence is expected to be one of the central pillars of the summit. India and Russia are likely to review progress on advanced BrahMos variants, including extended-range systems and the lighter air-launched BrahMos-NG model.
The two sides are also expected to discuss cooperation on hypersonic technologies, long-range air-to-air missile systems, and India’s planned procurement of additional S-400 air defence systems. BrahMos, a major joint venture between India and Russia, saw operational use during Operation Sindoor and has now entered the export market, with the Philippines becoming the first buyer.
Apart from defence systems, the summit will include discussions on supply chain stability, maintenance of existing platforms and long-term technological collaboration.
Global Issues and Strategic Coordination
Both leaders will also review cooperation on global platforms such as the UN, SCO, G20 and BRICS. Russia has expressed interest in working closely with India as the country prepares to take over the BRICS presidency in 2026.
The summit comes at a time of ongoing geopolitical changes, making India–Russia coordination important for regional stability and multipolar global cooperation.
State Banquet and Departure
On the evening of December 5, President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet in honour of President Putin. The Russian leader is expected to depart from New Delhi later that night, concluding a visit of around 30 hours that carries strategic, political and economic significance for both nations.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
President Vladimir Putin’s state visit marks a defining moment for India–Russia ties, showcasing the depth of their decades-long strategic partnership. With major agreements expected across trade, defence, technology, culture, and healthcare, the summit aims to shape the roadmap for cooperation until 2030. As both countries navigate global challenges and shifting geopolitical dynamics, the visit reinforces the importance of stable, long-term collaboration grounded in mutual interests. The outcomes of this summit are likely to influence regional strategy, economic engagement and defence cooperation in the coming years.