Putin to visit India from December 4

Russian President Vladimir Putin will undertake a two-day State visit to India from December 4 and 5 to participate in the 23rd India-Russia annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Friday.The visit is expected to produce significant outcomes aimed at further consolidating the countries ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership”. “At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin will pay a State visit to India from December 4 to 5 for the 23rd India-Russia annual summit,” the MEA said.
President Droupadi Murmu will receive Putin and host a banquet in his honour.The MEA said the forthcoming summit would allow the leadership of both countries to review progress in bilateral ties, set the vision for strengthening the strategic partnership, and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Talks between Modi and Putin are expected to focus on defence and security cooperation, trade and civil nuclear energy. The Ukraine conflict is also likely to figure in the discussions.India is examining procurement of additional batches of the S-400 surface-to-air missile system from Russia following their effectiveness during Operation Sindoor, and the proposed acquisition may come up during the summit, sources said.India and Russia hold an annual summit alternately in each country to review the full spectrum of relations. Twenty-two such summits have been held so far. Putin last visited New Delhi in 2021, while PM Modi travelled to Moscow in July last year for the previous summit.Russia remains a time-tested partner for India and a key pillar of New Delhi’s foreign policy.