Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to be on a two-day visit to India, starting December 4, for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, the ministry of external affairs confirmed on Friday. During his visit, the Russian president will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.“At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, President of the Russian Federation HE Vladimir Putin will pay a State visit to india from 04-05 December 2025 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. During the visit, President Putin will hold talks with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji will also receive President Putin and host a banquet in his honour,” MEA said in a statement.
“The forthcoming State Visit will provide an opportunity for the leadership of India and Russia to review progress in bilateral relations, set the vision for strengthening the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest,” the statement read.His last visit was in December 2021 for the annual summit, which rotates between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi attended the most recent summit in Moscow in July of last year.Here’s what’s likely on the agenda
Procurement of S-400 air-defence squadrons
India’s proposal to procure five additional S-400 Triumf air-defence squadrons, along with a substantial stock of surface-to-air missiles for the systems already in service—which proved highly effective during Operation Sindoor—is expected to be part of the agenda when PM Modi and Putin meet for their summit on December 5.However, India has not yet decided whether to purchase two or three squadrons of Russia’s fifth-generation Sukhoi-57 fighter, which Moscow is pushing hard as an alternative to the American F-35 Lightning II jets, top sources told TOI.
Ukraine war
Another agenda could be discussion of Russia-Ukraine war, where PM Modi has advocated for peace several times. Recently, external affairs minister S Jaishankar spoke to Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha and discussed the latest developments in the Ukraine conflict.“Had a telecon with FM Andrii Sybiha last evening. Appreciate his briefing on the ongoing developments related to the Ukraine conflict. Reiterated India’s support for an early end to this conflict and the establishment of an enduring peace,” Jaishankar said.
