Russian President Vladimir Putin has commenced a significant two-day official visit to India, marking his first trip to the country since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022. The visit centers on the 23rd Annual India-Russia Summit, with a packed schedule of diplomatic engagements slated for Friday, December 5, 2025.
A Day of Diplomacy: Putin's Detailed Itinerary
President Putin's agenda for Friday is a blend of ceremonial respect and high-stakes diplomacy. His day will begin with a ceremonial reception at the iconic Rashtrapati Bhavan at 11:00 AM. This will be followed by a solemn moment of tribute, as he is scheduled to lay a wreath at Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, at 11:30 AM.
The core of the visit will be the bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, set to take place at Hyderabad House from 11:50 AM. Following their meeting, both leaders are expected to address the media with press statements around 1:50 PM. Later in the evening, President Putin will call on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 7:00 PM before his departure from India at 9:00 PM.
Navigating Pressure: The Energy Cooperation Question
This summit occurs against a complex geopolitical backdrop, with India facing sustained pressure from Western nations, particularly the United States, to reduce its imports of Russian crude oil. Recent US tariffs on Indian goods have been linked, in part, to New Delhi's continued procurement of Russian energy.
In an interview with India Today ahead of his visit, President Putin addressed these tensions directly. He asserted that energy cooperation between Russia and India has largely "remains unaffected" by Western sanctions. Putin pointed out that the United States itself continues to purchase nuclear fuel from Russia for its power plants, framing the dynamic in global terms.
Despite US sanctions imposed in October 2025 on major Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, India has maintained its position as a key buyer. Data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) indicates that India was the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels in October, after China.
A Long-Standing Partnership
President Putin's last visit to India was on December 6, 2021, for the 21st edition of the annual summit. His current trip underscores the resilience and continued importance of the strategic partnership between New Delhi and Moscow, even as both nations navigate a rapidly changing global order. The outcomes of the talks, especially regarding defense, trade, and the pivotal energy corridor, are being closely watched worldwide.
