Putin confirms December visit to India, highlights 'special' strategic partnership with PM Modi

Putin confirms India visit in early December for annual summit with PM Modi

Russian President Vladimir Putin has mentioned that he will travel to India in early December for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also highlighted the “special” and “privileged strategic partnership” between the two countries.

Putin called PM Modi a “very wise leader who thinks first about his country,” and also talked about the long-standing strength of ties between Moscow and New Delhi, while speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi.

Putin criticised Washington’s push to persuade India and China to scale back energy imports from Russia, cautioning that such steps would disrupt global energy markets.

“India will never allow itself to be humiliated,” Putin added, stressing that Modi would not take decisions that undermine the country’s sovereignty or national pride.

He noted that expanding economic cooperation across different sectors remains a central priority for Russia.

“There is no political aspect here; it’s purely an economic calculation,” Putin said. “So why refuse if it also carries domestic political costs?”

He warned that the US approach could backfire, driving up international energy prices and forcing the Federal Reserve to maintain high interest rates, which could slow the American economy.

Putin’s remarks came after Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier confirmed that preparations for the India visit were well underway. "Yes, we have finalised the timeframe for the President’s India visit. It would take place before the New Year sets in," Peskov said. "The preparations for the visit is at full swing."