NEW DELHI, Dec 4: — Russia’s President Vladimir Putin lands in the capital on Thursday for a two-day state visit that mixes ceremony with a packed agenda on trade, defence and aviation, even as Western capitals track the trip closely.
Senior officials will receive him at the airport before he heads to South Delhi. PM Narendra Modi will host him for a private dinner Thursday night, ahead of the 23rd India-Russia leaders’ summit.
Indian officials noted that the visit signals New Delhi’s strategic autonomy at a time of renewed pressure from the US and NATO over India’s ties with Moscow. Relations between India and the US have been strained over tariffs, including Washington’s 50 per cent duties on Indian exports and a 25 per cent penalty linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil.
Putin will receive a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday, complete with a tri-services Guard of Honour, after which he will lay a wreath at Mahatma Gandhi’s samadhi at Raj Ghat.
Formal talks will take place at Hyderabad House, beginning with restricted-format discussions and followed by delegation-level meetings. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the two leaders would focus on “firming trade and defence ties.” Indian and Russian business delegations are set to meet in parallel, with both sides exploring new investment opportunities.
Officials expect agreements on trade, economic cooperation, healthcare and a mobility pact enabling easier travel for Indians to Russia. A joint statement and press briefing will follow a working lunch hosted by Modi.
Putin will later call on President Droupadi Murmu and attend a state banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan before departing late Friday. Delhi Police and federal agencies have deployed a five-layer security grid, including Russian presidential security personnel, NSG commandos, snipers, drones, jammers and AI-enabled surveillance
