The high-stakes December summit will address a massive trade imbalance and reinforce defense cooperation amid significant pressure from the United States.
India’s imports of discounted Russian crude made up the bulk of the figure, while Indian exports to Russia amounted to just $4.88 billion. Closing this gap is now a pressing challengeTrade Imbalance: Resolving the unequal trade relationship is of utmost importance. In 2024–2025, two-way commerce reached a record $68.7 billion, largely due to Indian imports of cheap Russian oil. A major priority will be closing the $4.88 billion imbalance in Indian exports to Russia.Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to travel to New Delhi in early December for a crucial annual summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to people familiar with the matter. Putin's first trip to India since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, this high-stakes visit is provisionally scheduled for around December 5 and represents a deliberate effort by both countries to strengthen their strategic cooperation in the face of growing Western pressure.
The upcoming summit is more than a routine diplomatic engagement; it is a powerful statement of intent from both Moscow and New Delhi.
Since the war in Ukraine drastically altered the geopolitical environment, this visit marks the first time the two leaders have met in person for an annual summit on Indian soil. It offers both parties a vital chance to perform a thorough assessment of their bilateral connection. As one source stated, “The geopolitical and geo-economic situation has changed considerably... the Russian president’s visit will allow both sides to take an overall look at the bilateral relationship, and ways to boost trade and economic engagement.” The meeting serves to publicly demonstrate that, despite intense pressure from the United States and its allies, the India-Russia strategic partnership remains a key foreign policy priority for New Delhi.
The summit occurs against a backdrop of sustained American efforts to wean India off its long-standing dependence on Russian military hardware and energy.
The United States has consistently urged India to reduce its purchases of Russian crude oil and armaments. This pressure escalated significantly just days before PM Modi and Putin's last meeting in September, when US President Donald Trump imposed punitive tariffs—a 25% levy—on Indian exports, a move directly linked by analysts to India's continued import of Russian oil. This high-stakes visit, tentatively planned for around December 5, is Putin's first trip to India since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It is a conscious attempt by both nations to deepen their strategic cooperation in the face of mounting Western pressure.
It is anticipated that PM Modi and President Putin will address a wide range of economic and strategic issues with an emphasis on tangible outcomes.
The agenda is packed with critical issues:
Trade Imbalance: Behind the record $68.7 billion in trade lies a tilted scale—Russia’s oil flows heavily into India, while Indian exports trickle back at only $4.88 billion. Restoring balance will be a defining focus ahead.
Strategic Cooperation: This year, the leaders will reaffirm their dedication to the unique and privileged strategic alliance, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Defense Ties: With Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov scheduled to visit New Delhi later this month for a high-level defense commission, securing the future of military-technical cooperation is a central goal.
Diplomatic Outreach: The Russian state-run broadcaster RT will also launch a new channel dedicated to India during the visit, underscoring the significance of the media and the relationship's narrative component.
The groundwork for Putin's visit is being laid through a series of high-level diplomatic engagements to ensure substantive outcomes.
A carefully orchestrated sequence of visits is planned. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to travel to New Delhi in November to set the stage. Furthermore, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov's upcoming trip for the Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) is crucial for ironing out details of ongoing and future defense projects. This layered approach indicates that both capitals are invested in making the summit a success, aiming to prove that their partnership can withstand the severe tests of a changing world order.
