India–Russia Relations Set for Major Boost Ahead of Vladimir Putin’s December Visit

New Delhi, November 26, 2025 — India and Russia are preparing to deepen their strategic partnership ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s expected visit to New Delhi next month. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that preparations for the 23rd annual bilateral summit are in full swing, with MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal saying the dates for Putin’s early December visit will be announced soon.

“Both countries are working hard to make this a success. We expect an improvement in ties when President Putin visits,” Jaiswal said, signalling renewed momentum in the relationship despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning of expanding sanctions.

In the run-up to the visit, top officials from both nations have held intensive engagements. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, while National Security Advisor Ajit Doval hosted Nikolai Patrushev, Putin’s key aide and Chairman of Russia’s Maritime Board, in New Delhi. These discussions are shaping the agenda for the Modi–Putin talks, which are expected to focus on defence, nuclear cooperation, commercial aviation, energy security, and technology transfer.

The summit may see multiple bilateral agreements across sectors, further strengthening longstanding ties between the two nations.

A significant focus is on military cooperation, with India and Russia negotiating several major defence deals. Talks are underway to expand the BrahMos missile range, upgrade Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets, procure additional S-400 air defence systems, and potentially manufacture the fifth-generation Sukhoi-57E stealth fighter jet in India. A Russian delegation from the Sukhoi Design Bureau recently conducted a technical assessment of HAL’s Nashik facilities.

Both sides are also discussing a comprehensive defence agreement that includes expanded logistics support and reciprocal access to each other’s military bases.

In the civilian aviation sector, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) signed an MoU to manufacture SJ-100 passenger aircraft in India. Despite UAC being a sanctioned Russian entity, the collaboration aims to boost India’s domestic aviation manufacturing capacity.

A landmark labour mobility agreement is also on the cards. The pact would establish a formal framework for skilled Indian workers to legally migrate to Russia, ensure protection of their rights, and open employment avenues across engineering, construction, textiles, and electronics sectors.

The two nations are simultaneously engaged in high-level talks to overcome banking hurdles and smoothen financial flows, with a broader goal of progressing toward a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union.

Energy cooperation will be a central feature of the discussions. India faces some of the world’s highest tariffs — nearly 50%, including 25% levies on Russian crude oil purchases. As the second-largest buyer of Russian crude, New Delhi’s position gives it significant leverage in negotiating energy terms amid tightening Western sanctions.

With both sides signalling strong intent, President Putin’s visit is expected to deliver key outcomes that could reshape India–Russia cooperation across defence, economy, and strategic infrastructure.