Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India from December 4–5 for the 23rd India–Russia bilateral summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking his first trip to the country in four years and his first since Russia’s military action in Ukraine began in 2022. Packed into roughly 30 hours, the Putin India visit itinerary includes a private dinner, high‑level summit, business forum, state banquet and several strategic announcements that could shape the next phase of India–Russia ties.
December 4: Arrival in Delhi and Private Dinner with PM Modi
According to reports, Vladimir Putin will land in New Delhi on the evening of December 4. From the airport, he will proceed to 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, the official residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Key highlights for December 4:
- Evening arrival in New Delhi – official welcome arrangements and protocol reception.
- Private dinner hosted by PM Modi at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, providing an informal setting for initial discussions ahead of the formal summit.
- The visit coincides with 25 years of the India–Russia strategic partnership, adding symbolic weight to the engagement.
This first evening is expected to focus on building personal rapport, reviewing key global and regional developments, and setting the tone for the next day’s formal talks.
December 5 (Morning): Ceremonial Welcome and Tribute at Rajghat
The main events of the Putin India visit itinerary are scheduled for December 5. The day will begin with a series of official ceremonies in the capital.
Planned morning programme:
- Ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan – Putin will be received with a tri‑service guard of honour, reflecting the importance India attaches to the visit.
- Visit to Rajghat – the Russian President will pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi, following the tradition of foreign leaders paying respects at the memorial.
These events reinforce the diplomatic protocol and symbolism that typically accompany a state visit of this level.
23rd India–Russia Summit at Hyderabad House
The centrepiece of the Putin India visit itinerary is the 23rd India–Russia Summit, scheduled for around 11 a.m. on December 5 at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
What’s expected at the summit:
- Bilateral talks between PM Modi and President Putin covering strategic, defence, economic and regional issues.
- Signing of multiple agreements in areas such as:
- Defence and military cooperation
- Energy (including oil, gas and renewables)
- Trade and investments
- Technology and space collaboration
- Strategic and geopolitical coordination
- Joint statement – both leaders are expected to address the media or issue a joint statement summarising outcomes and future directions.
The summit is likely to focus on balancing long‑standing defence ties with new areas like connectivity, digital cooperation and energy diversification.
India–Russia Business Forum at Bharat Mandapam
In the afternoon of December 5, around 4 p.m., the two leaders will participate in the India–Russia Business Forum at Bharat Mandapam, Delhi’s key convention venue.
Business forum agenda:
- Joint address by Modi and Putin to business delegations from both countries.
- Discussions on boosting bilateral trade, which has seen substantial growth in recent years, particularly in energy and commodities.
- Focus on sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, technology, fintech and agriculture, with an eye on long‑term partnerships.
The business forum is designed to deepen B2B connections and translate political goodwill into concrete commercial projects.
Key Agreements and New Initiatives Under Discussion
Beyond headline meetings, the Putin India visit itinerary also includes several policy and partnership initiatives being fine‑tuned by officials.
Expected focus areas:
- Labour mobility agreement – India and Russia are working on a framework that would allow skilled and semi‑skilled Indian workers to take up jobs in Russia’s construction, healthcare and hospitality sectors.
- Free‑trade agreement (FTA) – talks on a potential FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are likely to feature in the discussions, aiming to reduce trade barriers and boost exports.
- Civil nuclear cooperation – continued collaboration in nuclear energy, including the Kudankulam project and possible future units.
- Defence and security ties – discussions on joint production, technology transfer, maintenance of existing platforms and future defence procurement.
- Safe return of Indian nationals serving in Russian military roles – an issue flagged in recent months, expected to be addressed at a policy level.
Collectively, these initiatives aim to modernise and broaden the India–Russia partnership beyond traditional defence and energy pillars.
Meeting with President Murmu and State Banquet
Later in the evening on December 5, around 7 p.m., President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet in honour of President Putin.
This segment of the itinerary includes:
- Formal call on President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
- State banquet with senior ministers, officials and select dignitaries, marking the ceremonial high point of the visit.
After the banquet and final engagements, Putin is expected to depart from New Delhi late on December 5, concluding a tightly scheduled visit of roughly 30 hours.
What’s New: Russia Today to Launch India Operations
An additional highlight of the Putin India visit itinerary is the planned launch of Russia Today’s operations in India, with a roughly 100‑member bureau to be based in the country.
This development:
- Signals Moscow’s intent to strengthen its media and information presence in the Indian market.
- Could play a role in shaping narratives around India–Russia cooperation, global geopolitics and regional issues from a Russian perspective.
The timing of this launch during the visit underscores the soft‑power and communication dimension of the partnership.
Quick Facts: Putin India Visit Itinerary at a Glance
- Visit dates: December 4–5
- Duration: Around 30 hours in India
- Last visit to India: December 2021, before the Ukraine conflict.
- Key events:
- Arrival and private dinner with PM Modi
- Ceremonial welcome and Rajghat visit
- 23rd India–Russia Summit at Hyderabad House
- India–Russia Business Forum at Bharat Mandapam
- Launch of Russia Today operations in India
- State banquet hosted by President Murmu
Conclusion: Why This Visit Matters
The Putin India visit itinerary may be compressed into just 30 hours, but its political and strategic weight is far greater. Coming amid shifting global alignments and ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the trip is a signal that New Delhi and Moscow still see each other as key strategic partners—while also adapting the relationship to new economic and geopolitical realities.
If you follow foreign policy, defence or global markets, keep an eye on the joint statement, labour mobility agreement details, and any concrete progress on the EAEU free‑trade talks. These outcomes will reveal how India and Russia plan to shape their next 25 years of strategic partnership.
