New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin began an event-packed second day of his state visit to India on Friday, aimed at reinforcing the longstanding strategic partnership between New Delhi and Moscow. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally received the Russian leader at the Delhi airport with a warm embrace, setting the tone for a day centered on diplomacy, defense, and economic cooperation.
Putin’s day began with a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he met President Droupadi Murmu. As per longstanding tradition for visiting heads of state, the Russian President then proceeded to Raj Ghat to lay a wreath at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi.
Later in the afternoon, President Putin and Prime Minister Modi are scheduled to hold the 23rd Annual India–Russia Summit at Hyderabad House. The leaders are expected to focus on expanding cooperation across defense, energy, bilateral trade, and the mobility of skilled professionals. This meeting will be followed by a joint press briefing to outline the agreements and priorities shaping the next phase of the partnership.
The Russian President, accompanied by Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and senior executives from major Russian state enterprises including arms exporter Rosoboronexport and energy giants Rosneft and Gazprom Neft will also interact with Indian industry leaders. The day will conclude with a state banquet hosted by President Murmu in Putin’s honour before his departure later in the evening.
Putin’s visit comes at a symbolic moment, marking 25 years since India and Russia formalised their strategic partnership in 2000, during his first year as president. While the two nations traditionally held annual summits, the cycle was disrupted in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Diplomatic sensitivities also kept Putin away from the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi due to an International Criminal Court warrant.
With Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Moscow in 2024 reviving the summit tradition, Putin’s return visit underscores the intent to strengthen ties even as India balances growing engagement with the United States. Notably, the visit comes amid ongoing negotiations between New Delhi and Washington to address steep U.S. tariffs imposed on India over its continued imports of discounted Russian crude.
Both sides are expected to finalise several agreements in sectors such as transport links, healthcare collaboration, fertilizer supply chains, labour mobility initiatives, and maritime cooperation. Defense, historically the backbone of India–Russia engagement, remains a priority.
New Delhi is likely to press for the expedited delivery of two pending S-400 missile systems part of a 2018 deal worth $5.4 billion whose dispatch has been delayed due to supply chain disruptions triggered by the Ukraine conflict. India is also exploring acquisition of additional or upgraded S-400 units, though no announcement is anticipated during the visit.
Upgrades to India’s Russian-built Su-30MKI fighter fleet, faster delivery of critical military hardware, and enhanced coordination on joint drills and humanitarian operations are also expected to feature in discussions. Moscow, for its part, is eager to pitch its advanced Su-57 stealth fighters to India, though New Delhi continues to survey options from multiple foreign suppliers.
Russia remains India’s largest arms supplier and a crucial energy partner. Since European sanctions following the Ukraine invasion, India has emerged as one of the biggest buyers of discounted Russian crude, a move that has drawn criticism from Washington. The U.S. argues that India’s oil purchases indirectly support Russia’s military efforts, and additional punitive tariffs were imposed by President Donald Trump earlier this year. India is likely to convey that these imports are vital for meeting the energy needs of its 1.4 billion citizens.
Moscow has expressed a desire to increase imports of Indian goods to rebalance bilateral trade, aiming for a target of $100 billion by 2030.
As the day unfolds with back-to-back diplomatic engagements, the visit is expected to reaffirm the enduring nature of the India–Russia partnership even as global geopolitical shifts continue to test the resilience and adaptability of this historic relationship.