President Putin Arrives in India Today for 30-Hour Visit; High-Level Talks, Big Defence Deals Expected

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Russian President Vladimir Putin will arrive in New Delhi today (4 December) for a two-day official visit, his first trip to India in four years. During this visit, he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit. With the Ukraine war and rising global tensions in the backdrop, this visit is drawing worldwide attention.

Putin’s 30-hour schedule includes major agreements in defence, energy, and trade. Here is the complete minute-to-minute programme.

Arriving in Delhi This Evening; PM Modi to Host Private Dinner

As per the official itinerary, President Putin will reach Delhi around 7 pm today. After his reception, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a private dinner in his honour at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. The meeting will highlight the personal rapport between the two leaders and also mark 25 years of the India–Russia strategic partnership.

December 5 (Friday): A Packed Day of Diplomacy

The most crucial day of the visit will be Friday, 5 December. The day will begin with a ceremonial Tri-Services Guard of Honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This will be followed by a visit to Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Around 11 am, the 23rd India–Russia bilateral summit will take place at Hyderabad House, where PM Modi and President Putin will hold key talks and sign agreements in defence, space, and energy, after which a joint statement will be issued.

Later in the day, at 4 pm, both leaders will address the Business Forum at Bharat Mandapam to strengthen trade and investment ties. The visit will conclude with a state dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at 7 pm, after which Putin will depart for Russia the same night.

Major Agreements on the Agenda

According to sources in the Ministry of External Affairs, several significant and long-term decisions are expected during this visit. India and Russia are preparing to finalise a major “Labour Mobility Agreement,” which will open new employment opportunities for Indian skilled and semi-skilled workers in Russia’s construction, healthcare, and hospitality sectors.

The sensitive issue of ensuring the safe and prompt return of Indian nationals serving in the Russian army will also be raised. Discussions will further focus on advancing talks for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union and expanding cooperation in civil nuclear energy — moves expected to deepen defence and commercial ties between the two nations.

Putin last visited India in 2022. His 2025 visit is seen as an important step toward elevating the long-standing partnership between the two countries.