NEW DELHI, December 3, 2025 — Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to land in New Delhi tomorrow for a high-stakes two-day visit, marking the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. Amid the grinding war in Ukraine and tightening Western economic nooses, the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin is expected to focus on a singular, urgent goal: constructing a "sanctions-proof" financial architecture to keep the vital artery of trade and defense flowing.
The summit, taking place December 4–5, comes at a pivotal moment. While Washington has ramped up pressure—including recent sanctions on Russian oil majors like Rosneft and Lukoil and a 25% tariff on Indian goods linked to Russian energy—New Delhi and Moscow appear ready to double down on their "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership."
The Economic Iron Dome
Officials describe the agenda as a "war on sanctions." With India’s Russian crude imports dropping by nearly a third due to payment hurdles and freight risks, the two leaders are expected to operationalize an alternative payment mechanism.
"The priority is to insulate our trade from the US dollar and Western banking systems," said a source familiar with the negotiations. The summit will likely see the expansion of rupee-rouble settlements and the integration of domestic payment systems to bypass SWIFT. Despite the friction, bilateral trade hit a record $56 billion last year, with both leaders now eyeing a target of $100 billion by 2030.
To cement this, Putin is accompanied by a heavy-hitting delegation including CEOs from Rosneft, GazpromNeft, and Rosoboronexport, signaling that energy remains the linchpin of the relationship.
Fortifying Defense: S-400s and Logistics
Beyond economics, the summit is set to deepen military integration. In a significant move ahead of the visit, the Russian State Duma ratified the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS) agreement. Once signed in New Delhi, this pact will allow Indian and Russian military forces to access each other’s bases and ports for logistics and support—a move that enhances interoperability and extends India's strategic reach.
Defense procurement remains top of the docket:
S-400 Triumf: Negotiations are advanced for the purchase of 2–3 additional S-400 regiments. Crucially, Russia has offered a 50% technology transfer to manufacture these systems in India via Bharat Dynamics Limited, addressing India’s "Make in India" requirements and bypassing supply chain delays caused by the Ukraine war.
Su-57 Fighters: Russia is expected to aggressively pitch its fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter to the Indian Air Force, offering licensed production to counter India's dwindling squadron numbers.
Missile Replenishment: An emergency procurement of 300 missiles for existing S-400 units is likely to be finalized to ensure India's air defense readiness.
The Geopolitical Balancing Act
For Prime Minister Modi, the visit is a diplomatic tightrope walk. India has refused to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, advocating instead for "dialogue and diplomacy," while simultaneously deepening ties with the US. However, with the US administration scrutinizing countries that fund Russia's war effort through energy purchases, this summit serves as a bold assertion of India's "strategic autonomy."
President Putin will be accorded a ceremonial welcome and a state banquet hosted by the President of India. The leaders are expected to sign a raft of agreements covering trade, small modular nuclear reactors, and space cooperation before Putin departs on December 5.
