An S-400 missile defense launcher mounted on a heavy military transporter, showcasing the system’s missile tubes and radar array.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit India on December 4-5, 2025, for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The discussions will be crucial for reinforcing the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” and balancing India’s ties with Russia against global pressures, particularly from the West regarding the Ukraine conflict.
Here are the main points of discussion, broken down briefly:
1. Defence Cooperation (The Traditional Pillar)
S-400 Missile Systems: India is expected to push for the accelerated delivery of the remaining S-400 Triumf air defence missile squadrons and may discuss the acquisition of additional systems.
Spares and Upgrades: Ensuring a smooth, long-term supply of spares, maintenance support, and technology upgrades for the majority of Indian military platforms, which are of Russian origin.
2. Trade and Energy (The Dominant New Pillar)
Addressing Trade Imbalance: This is a top priority for India. Bilateral trade has soared (over $68 billion) primarily due to India’s massive energy imports (discounted crude oil), but India’s exports to Russia are very low (around $4-5 billion). PM Modi will press for Russia to buy more Indian goods (pharmaceuticals, agriculture, textiles, consumer items).
Insulating Trade from Sanctions: Both sides will work on mechanisms (like connecting Russia’s Mir and India’s RuPay payment networks, and increasing settlement in national currencies like the Rupee and Ruble/Dirham) to protect their trade from Western sanctions.
Energy and Nuclear: Deepening cooperation in long-term crude oil contracts, exploring Indian investment in Russian energy projects, and advancing civil nuclear cooperation, possibly including the supply of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
3. Strategic and Geopolitical Issues
Strategic Autonomy: India is using this summit to reassert its independent foreign policy and strategic autonomy despite Western criticism over its ties with Moscow.
Regional and Global Issues: Exchange views on the situation in Afghanistan, Central Asia, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where PM Modi has continued to call for diplomacy and dialogue.
Labour Mobility: Finalization of an agreement to facilitate the safe and legal movement of skilled and semi-skilled Indian professionals to work in Russia.
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