Vladimir Putin landed in New Delhi on the evening of December 4, 2025, marking his first official visit to India since 2021 and the first since the start of the Russia–Ukraine war. 

The visit—scheduled for two days, 4–5 December—centers around the 23rd annual summit between Russia and India. The summit is being billed as a pivotal moment as both countries seek to reaffirm and reshape their strategic partnership, even as global pressures and regional shifts challenge the old status quo. 

🔎 What’s on the Agenda

Upon arrival, Putin was received at Palam airport by Narendra Modi, setting the tone for a packed diplomatic schedule.

Planned engagements include a private dinner hosted by Prime Minister Modi, followed by formal meetings on December 5 — a ceremonial reception at the presidential residence, a visit to the national memorial at Rajghat, and a high-level discussion at Hyderabad House covering defence, energy, trade, and more. 

In addition, both governments are working to seal multiple agreements — ranging from trade expansion and energy cooperation to defence procurement and civil nuclear collaboration. 

⚖️ Why This Visit Matters Now

This visit comes at a fraught moment for global alliances and regional power balances. Russia remains under heavy Western sanctions due to the war in Ukraine. For New Delhi, the visit represents a careful balancing act: maintaining its decades-long strategic ties with Moscow, while navigating growing pressure from the West. 

Energy trade is a key focus. Despite global pressure, India continues to rely on Russian oil — even as refiners face mounting regulatory and tariff challenges. The summit offers an opportunity to reset and perhaps renegotiate terms to adapt to the changing global climate. 

On defence, New Delhi reportedly plans to revisit discussions on advanced military equipment — potentially including the procurement of fifth-generation fighter jets. This move could reinforce India’s defence capabilities while signaling that its security partnerships remain diversified. 

🌐 What It Signals for Global Diplomacy

Analysts view Putin’s visit as more than bilateral diplomacy — it’s a statement of multipolarity. By engaging with Russia openly, India underscores its ambition to maintain strategic autonomy. For Russia, the visit offers a lifeline: assuring Moscow that despite global isolation, critical partnerships remain intact. 

The summit could accelerate new trade and currency-settlement mechanisms (rupee-rouble trade), bypassing dollar-dominated channels and Western sanctions — a potential paradigm shift in global trade flows. 

🤝 What to Watch For

• Defence Agreements: Will India sign deals for advanced jets and missile systems?
  
• Energy and Oil Trade Terms: Will India and Russia finalize new energy-supply agreements to stabilize prices and supply?
  
• Trade & Exports Expansion: Beyond energy — push for Indian exports to Russia: electronics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, machinery.
  
• Global Reactions: How will the West react to this show of closeness between Moscow and New Delhi?
  
• Economic & Geopolitical Signals: Will this visit influence other countries’ alignments or global trade patterns?
  

Putin’s 2025 visit to India is more than a diplomatic formality. — it’s a strategic recalibration in a world being reshaped by war, sanctions, shifting energy flows, and changing alliances. As India and Russia sit down for talks, the world is watching: the outcomes may well redefine global geopolitics in the coming years.