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Delhi unfurls Red Carpet as Putin returns to strengthen arc of ties

NEW DELHI: The national capital is all set to roll out the red carpet as Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives from Moscow on Thursday for a tightly packed two-day state visit laced with high-level diplomacy, economic negotiations and ceremonial grandeur. His first India trip in four years, the visit is designed to inject fresh momentum into the IndiaRussia partnership at a time of shifting geopolitical alignments. Putin touches down in the capital on Thursday evening, followed by a private dinner with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a signal of the political weight both sides are placing on the engagement and their ties. The formal proceedings begin on Friday with a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhawan, after which Putin will pay homage at Rajghat before heading into talks with Modi for the 23rd IndiaRussia annual summit. At the heart of the summit is an ambitious effort to accelerate an IndiaEAEU free trade agreement. Both leaders are expected to set a clear timeline for negotiations with the Eurasian Economic Union, comprising Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan, a pact New Delhi hopes will help narrow a widening trade imbalance. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov will co-chair the 22nd IndiaRussia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation in New Delhi on Thursday. The meeting will review the full spectrum of bilateral defence ties A high-powered Russian delegation, including Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office; Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov; Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut; Health Minister Mikhail Murashko; Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Alexey Gruzdev; and Deputy Digital Development Minister Sergey Kuchushev will lead an economic outreach push at a dedicated business meet on Friday. Kremlin sets tone for secure trade architecture; S-400, Su-57 to dominate Putins India visit Agenda The session is expected to spotlight new opportunities for Indian exporters at a time when bilateral trade has hit a historic USD 68.7 billion, driven overwhelmingly by Indian energy imports. Indias exports, at USD 4.9 billion against imports of USD 63.8 billion, remain a key concern. Acknowledging this imbalance, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow is jointly looking at possibilities of increasing imports from India. Putin, speaking at the VTB Investment Forum ahead of his trip, said he and Prime Minister Modi will specifically review ways to expand Indian shipments. Security across Delhi has been intensified to an unprecedented degree. Central Delhi is draped in Russian flags, with multi-layered deployments of Delhi Police, paramilitary units and specialised security teams following a recent blast in the city. Barricades, restricted zones and constant patrols blanket areas around official venues and hotels. More than 50 Russian advanced security personnel have already inspected routes, ahead of Putins 130-member delegation. A series of agreements spanning trade, health care, mobility, media and economic cooperation is expected during the visit. A major highlight is a forthcoming RoscosmosISRO pact on rocket-engine technology a fresh boost to a space partnership that began with the launch of Indias Aryabhata satellite in 1975. The visit concludes Friday night with a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu, after which Putin is scheduled to depart for Moscow. Putins India visit to spotlight expanding trade, defence and health partnerships

3 Dec 2025 9:13 pm