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Russian President Vladimir Putin. File. | Photo Credit: Reuters
New Delhi,August 29,2025 - Russian President vladimir putin is scheduled to visit India in December,the Kremlin announced today,signaling a deepening of strategic ties amid escalating geopolitical tensions and Western pressure over IndiaS energy imports from Russia.
The visit follows a planned meeting between Putin and Indian prime Minister Narendra Modi at a regional summit in China on Monday, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov stated. Ushakov indicated the leaders would focus on finalizing arrangements for the December trip.
The announcement comes as the United states has imposed tariffs on certain Indian goods in response to New Delhi’s substantial increase in purchases of Russian oil following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The U.S. aims to curtail Russia’s revenue streams that fund its military operations.
India has defended its oil imports from Russia, explaining that it was compelled to seek alternative sources after customary suppliers diverted volumes to Europe in the wake of the conflict. Energy revenue remains a critical component of the Russian federal budget.
Beyond energy, Russia has long been a key defense partner for India, providing a significant portion of its military hardware. This relationship dates back to the Cold War era and continues to be a cornerstone of India’s foreign policy.
Western nations, aligned with Ukraine, have been actively working to reduce Russia’s export earnings. Though, Russia has successfully redirected energy exports to countries like India and China, sustaining a substantial flow of funds.
Putin’s international travel has been limited since the launch of the war in Ukraine, and notably after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him. India is not a signatory to the Rome Statute that established the ICC, and thus is not legally bound to execute the warrant.
the upcoming visit underscores the continued strategic alignment between India and Russia, even as India navigates complex relationships with the West and seeks to maintain a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict. The December meeting is expected to cover a broad range of bilateral issues, including defense cooperation, trade, and energy security.