Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India on 4 and 5 December for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. This is his first trip to New Delhi since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, which makes the visit significant for both countries. India and Russia will use the summit to review their long-standing partnership and to discuss defence cooperation, energy trade and future strategic alignment.
Focus on defence cooperation
Defence will be at the centre of the talks. India is expected to seek clarity on the delivery schedule of the remaining S-400 air defence units. These were delayed due to pressure on Russia’s defence production system and supply chain issues. India may also push for a large batch of surface-to-air missiles to strengthen the S-400 systems already in service.
Reports also suggest that India could raise the possibility of acquiring the Su-57 next-generation fighter jet. While a final agreement is unlikely during this visit, the summit will allow both sides to discuss how future military cooperation should look. Indian officials are expected to focus on securing reliable timelines, better servicing support for older Russian equipment, and assurances that ongoing conflicts will not disrupt supplies.
Energy and oil trade on the agenda
Energy will be another major pillar of the discussions. India has become one of the largest buyers of Russian oil in recent years. Both countries are expected to work on stabilising payments, strengthening long-term supply agreements and finding ways to reduce the impact of Western sanctions on trade.
The summit may also expand cooperation in natural gas, nuclear energy, critical minerals and civil aviation. Officials on both sides have indicated that Russia wants to deepen economic ties with India in several areas, not limited to defence or oil.
Strategic autonomy and geopolitical alignment
Putin’s visit comes at a time when India is balancing strong ties with the West and a close strategic partnership with Russia. The summit will highlight India’s approach to foreign policy, which is based on independent decision-making rather than alignment with any one bloc.
India is expected to communicate that cooperation with Russia will continue in areas where it serves national interests. This includes defence readiness, energy security and technological cooperation. For Russia, the visit is a chance to show that it still holds influential partners in Asia despite global sanctions.
Likely outcomes of the summit
Observers do not expect major new defence contracts during this visit. Instead, India and Russia may focus on completing ongoing projects, resolving delays and agreeing on long-term frameworks. Energy cooperation could see more concrete progress, including new supply routes or payment mechanisms that make oil trade smoother.
The summit will also reaffirm the strategic partnership between the two countries. Even without major announcements, the visit itself is an important signal that both sides want to keep their relationship steady during a period of rapid global change.
What this means for India
For India, the summit is an opportunity to strengthen its defence preparedness, secure affordable energy and reinforce an independent foreign policy. India will aim to maintain a stable relationship with Russia while also managing expectations from Western partners. The outcome of the visit will shape how India approaches major power competition in the coming years.
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