Putin to visit India on December 5 to attend Russia-India Forum

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit New Delhi on December 5 to attend the plenary session of the Russia-India Forum, Bloomberg said, citing Roscongress, the event’s organizer. The visit comes as Moscow and New Delhi continue to strengthen ties despite ongoing international tensions over Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Kremlin had earlier confirmed that the trip was planned for December.

In October, President Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone conversation where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepen what they described as a “special and privileged strategic partnership.” The call highlighted the continuity of bilateral cooperation between the two nations across trade, energy, and defense sectors.

India has maintained its position of strategic autonomy, balancing relations with both the West and Moscow. Despite Western pressure, India previously resisted calls by former US President Donald Trump to halt purchases of Russian oil. The US had imposed a 50% tariff on Indian exports, citing the need to increase pressure on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine. Trump said this week that Washington and New Delhi were “pretty close” to a trade deal that could reduce the tariff, also noting a decline in India’s Russian oil imports compared to earlier levels.

Putin and Modi last met in September during a summit in China’s port city of Tianjin, hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The three leaders — Xi, Modi, and Putin — were seen conversing and sharing a light moment on the sidelines of the event, signaling continued engagement among key Eurasian powers.

Putin’s upcoming visit will mark his first trip to India since the start of the war in Ukraine and is expected to include discussions on trade, energy cooperation, and geopolitical coordination amid shifting global dynamics.