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Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have a lot on their plate when they hold official discussions on Friday.
India-Russia ties have come under intense scrutiny from US President Donald Trump, who has slapped a 25% tariff on Indian goods to punish New Delhi for buying Russian oil.
From buying next to nothing in 2021, to sourcing nearly 40% of its import needs this year, India has benefited from discounted Russian energy for years. The two countries will work on plans to expand energy ties, including nuclear, while New Delhi balances its relations with the West.
Washington has ramped up efforts to get a deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war, set to enter its fourth year in February. Putin is expected to discuss the war and the terms of ending the conflict with Modi.
For Russia, close relations with India allows it some space in Asia where China is increasingly the dominant power. Notably, Putin flanked Xi Jinping just two months ago during a massive military display in Beijing.
Moscow's share in defence imports have reduced since India pushed local manufacturing a decade ago. However, the two countries have been jointly developing key military technologies like the state-of-the-art and combat-tested Brahmos cruise missiles.
(This live blog has ended.)
Delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin to India. Looking forward to our interactions later this evening and tomorrow. India-Russia friendship is a time tested one that has greatly benefitted our people.@KremlinRussia_E pic.twitter.com/L7IORzRfV9
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 4, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin travelled in the same car, as they depart from the Palam Technical Airport in Delhi.
#ModiPutinSummit | PM Modi, Russian President Putin leave Palam Airport in the same car@Padmajajoshi @shivaroor @vishnundtv pic.twitter.com/1iU5jGecdN
— NDTV (@ndtv) December 4, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin travelled in the same car, as they depart from the Palam Technical Airport in Delhi.
#ModiPutinSummit | PM Modi, Russian President Putin leave Palam Airport in the same car@Padmajajoshi @shivaroor @vishnundtv pic.twitter.com/1iU5jGecdN
— NDTV (@ndtv) December 4, 2025
PM Narendra Modi welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin at Delhi's Palam airport.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow at 11:50 a.m., followed by meetings with President Droupadi Murmu and leading business figures.
The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening Russia-India bilateral relations, addressing trade deficit concerns, and exploring ways to boost Indian imports. Key topics include crude oil trade and meaningful exports of pharmaceuticals, agricultural, and food products from India.
The visit will also emphasize expediting negotiations for India’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), signaling a push for deeper economic cooperation between the two nations.
Vladimir Putin landed in India for his second visit to the country in the last four years. During the Russian President's 2021 trip, squeezed into a five-hour window because of the pandemic, Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about defence, energy, and long-term partnership. Three months later, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Putin last visited India on December 6, 2021, for the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit. He met PM Modi along with a high-level delegation, and both leaders saw that their “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” had held steady through Covid.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has landed in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will personally receive him at the tarmac of the Palam air base.
#ModiPutinSummit | PM Modi reaches Palam Airport to recieve Russian President Putin pic.twitter.com/AiHSUgtrJo
— NDTV (@ndtv) December 4, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will receive Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Delhi airport. Putin is expected to land shortly.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met the Russian delegation led by Denis Manturov, First Deputy Prime Minister, in New Delhi, today. Both sides discussed various issues of mutual interests encompassing investment, banking and finance.
The Indian delegation comprised of representatives of Department of Economic Affairs, Department of Financial Services, Reserve Bank of India and Ministry of External Affairs.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met the Russian delegation led by Denis Manturov, First Deputy Prime Minister, in New Delhi, today. Both sides discussed various issues of mutual interests encompassing investment, banking and finance.
The Indian delegation comprised of representatives of Department of Economic Affairs, Department of Financial Services, Reserve Bank of India and Ministry of External Affairs.
Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov said "Russia is interested in increasing trade exchange. We are interested in increasing supplies of Indian products in the Russian market, and are interested in balancing trade...We are very interested in buying Indian products..."
(Source: ANI)
Union Health Minister JP Nadda met Mikhail Murashko, Health Minister of Russia.
"Discussed various health sector-related issues and agreed to enhance bilateral collaboration and partnership in health sector. Both sides reaffirmed commitment to advancing a shared vision of accessibility to affordable and quality healthcare," he said.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal addressed the India-Russia Business Forum alongside Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia, at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi.
He spoke about India’s Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership with Russia and the expanding areas of cooperation that continue to deepen our economic engagement.
The minister highlighted the untapped opportunities for Indian businesses, key sectors with strong potential for collaboration, India’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem & immense avenues for investors, which would further drive the shared prosperity of both nation
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal addressed the India-Russia Business Forum alongside Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia, at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi.
He spoke about India’s Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership with Russia and the expanding areas of cooperation that continue to deepen our economic engagement.
The minister highlighted the untapped opportunities for Indian businesses, key sectors with strong potential for collaboration, India’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem & immense avenues for investors, which would further drive the shared prosperity of both nation
Putin's visit to India comes at a time when the country seems to be walking on a trade tight rope, with the United States on one end and Russia on the other.
Half of the 50% tariffs levied on Indian imports by Washington are imposed as a punitive measure for New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian crude.
India and Russia have a trade volume of approximately $69 billion — of which Indian exports to Russia make up only close to $4.8 billion while Russian imports to India amount to around $65 billion. Therefore, the scale is not just tipped in favour of Russia, but the trade deficit amounts to the second largest deficit India has with any country after China.
Meanwhile, India's oil imports from Russia have only grown in recent years, mainly because of Moscow's steep discounts on its main oil exports which reportedly went up to $35 a barrel sometimes.
Read full story below:
At the 22nd India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation ministerial meeting, Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov said, "Our bilateral relations have a strategic character, and the partnership with India is a key factor for the balance in the South Asian region and global security in general."
The national capital is on high alert on Thursday, as a multi-layered security grid has been enforced for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is landing in Delhi in the evening for his two-day visit to India. The exact location of his stay remains undisclosed due to strict security norms, police said.
Top-ranking Delhi Police officers are supervising route security, traffic arrangements and area sanitisation around locations likely to feature in the Russian president's schedule.
Delhi Police, central agencies and Putin's personal security detail have formed a multi-layered security grid with SWAT teams, anti-terror units, snipers and quick-reaction teams stationed at sensitive points.
Additionally, high-definition CCTV networks and technical monitoring systems have been activated across zones associated with the visit.
Traffic restrictions and controlled pedestrian movement are expected around key areas, though officials said alerts will be issued in advance to avoid major disruptions.
(Source: PTI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister of Russia Andrei Belousov laid wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.
The Russian Defence Minister will co-chair the 22nd India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation ministerial meeting with Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh at Manekshaw Centre later today.
Russia's Sberbank has plans for retail banking in India and also plans to invest in government bonds, CEO Herman Gref said.
The country's largest lender will use surplus Indian rupees to invest in local government bonds, he said.
Notably, Sberbank is under Western sanctions since the Ukraine war in 2022.
Sberbank, Russia's largest bank, and JSC First Asset Management have introduced a new mutual fund, 'First–India', offering investments linked to the performance of the Nifty 50 index. The launch comes amid Vladimir Putin's visit to India.
The launch was announced at the event at the NSE by Sberbank CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board, Herman Gref's during his business visit to India.
"Our new product provides a convenient way to gain exposure to one of the world’s key economic markets—the Indian stock market. Until now, no straightforward options existed for Russian investors seeking personal investments in Indian assets. However, we have created a new and efficient financial bridge between the two countries," Gref said.
"This initiative reflects strong confidence in India’s markets and deepens the India–Russia financial cooperation. NSE is committed to partnering with Sberbank to enhance market connectivity, uphold regulatory and investor-protection standards, and build liquidity and transparency for these products as we create new opportunities for investors in both countries," Ashishkumar Chauhan said.
Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov arrived at the Air Force Station, Palam in New Delhi. He was received by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan.
The Russian Defence Minister will co-chair the 22nd India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation ministerial meeting with Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh at Manekshaw Centre later today.
Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov arrived at the Air Force Station, Palam in New Delhi. He was received by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan.
The Russian Defence Minister will co-chair the 22nd India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation ministerial meeting with Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh at Manekshaw Centre later today.
Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov arrived at the Air Force Station, Palam in New Delhi. (Image: MoD)
Russian President Vladimir Putin will kick-off his two-day state visit to India on Thursday. He is scheduled to land at the Delhi International Airport in the evening. He will be received by senior Indian government officials.
Putin last came to India in 2021, just months before the Ukraine war.
The leader will hold will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. He will be hosted by President Droupadi Murmu for a banquet in the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The visit will provide an opportunity for the leadership of India and Russia to review progress in bilateral relations, set the vision for strengthening the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, according to the government.
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