Putin’s 26 hours in Delhi: Complete itinerary, timings and agenda with PM Modi, President Murmu and India Inc

Putin lands in Delhi for a tightly packed, 26-hour visit that includes a private dinner with PM Modi, ceremonial events at Rashtrapati Bhavan, summit talks, a business forum and a new RT India launch.

Russian President Vladimir Putin touches down in New Delhi on Thursday evening for a tightly packed, 28-hour state visit, his first trip to India since the Ukraine war began in February 2022. Across two days, he meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi twice, calls on President Droupadi Murmu, addresses a business gathering, and launches a new India channel of Russian broadcaster RT.

Here’s a clear look at Putin’s schedule in India: What happens when, where, and with whom.

Day 1: Thursday, December 4, 2025 - Arrival and private dinner

18:35 hrs – Arrival in Delhi at Air Force Station Palam

What’s planned: Putin lands in New Delhi at around 6:35 PM.

Night – Private dinner with PM Modi at Prime Minister’s residence, Lok Kalyan Marg

What’s planned:Modi hosts Putin for a private dinner, mirroring Putin’s own gesture when he hosted the Indian PM in Moscow in July 2024.

This is the most informal part of the visit, usually where the real 'no-notes' conversations happen.

Putin then turns in for a short overnight stay in the capital before a non-stop Friday.

Day 2: Friday, December 5, 2025 - Ceremonial, summit, business and farewell

11:00 hrs - Ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan

What’s planned: Guard of honour, national anthems, formal welcome by President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi.

11:30 hrs – Tribute at Rajghat

What’s planned: Putin lays a wreath at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial.

11:50 hrs – Summit talks with PM Modi at Hyderabad House

What’s planned: The Main India–Russia Annual Summit between Modi and Putin.

Agenda includes:

• Trade deficit and payments issue arising from large-scale Russian crude imports.
• Impact of US sanctions and tariff on Russian oil-linked imports into India.
• Defence cooperation and logistics support agreement.
• Nuclear energy cooperation and long-term projects.
• New framework for strategic economic cooperation till 2030.
• Possible agreement on the movement of Indian workers to Russia.
• Putin is also expected to brief Modi on US efforts around the Ukraine conflict.

13:50 hrs - Joint press statements at Hyderabad House

What’s planned: Modi and Putin deliver press statements outlining key outcomes, language on Ukraine, trade, energy and defence.

Live coverage: Streamed on MEA’s official YouTube channel.

Afternoon - Business event and RT India launch

15:40 hrs – Business event (Venue: To be confirmed)

What’s planned: Putin participates in an India-Russia business forum.

Focus likely on boosting Indian exports to Russia, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food products, consumer goods, to narrow the ballooning trade deficit.

Later in the day - RT India channel launch at Hyderabad House/separate venue (as scheduled)

What’s planned: Putin is scheduled to launch the new India channel of Russian state-run broadcaster RT TV.

19:00 hrs -  Meeting with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan

What’s planned:

• Putin calls on President Murmu.
• Official-only photo-op.
• This is usually followed by a state banquet in his honour.21:00 hrs – Departure from Delhi at Air Force Station Palam

What’s planned: Putin departs New Delhi around 9 PM, wrapping up a nearly 28-hour visit. Timings are indicative and subject to change, as MEA has flagged.

(With inputs from PTI and MEA press release)