Russian President Vladimir Putin to Visit India in December
The Kremlin has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will make an official visit to India in December for the annual bilateral summit. The announcement signals deepening ties between the two nations, particularly amid ongoing trade frictions between India and the United States. Preparations for the high-level visit will be discussed during a meeting between Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China.
Unpacked:
The deepening ties are driven by India's continued imports of Russian oil despite Western sanctions, strong historical defense cooperation dating to the Cold War, and a shared interest in multipolar global politics. The relationship is further solidified by regular high-level meetings and strategic agreements.
Recent U.S. tariffs on Indian goods, imposed partly due to India’s increased purchases of Russian oil, have pushed India and Russia closer together economically and diplomatically, as both seek alternatives to Western markets and align on energy and defense cooperation.
The SCO summit provides a platform for India and Russia to coordinate on regional security and economic issues. It also allows their leaders to meet in person, which helps in preparing for major bilateral events and reinforcing their partnership in the context of broader regional cooperation.
Putin faces an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant, but India is not a member of the ICC and thus is not obligated to act on it. This allows the visit to proceed without legal barriers, despite international controversy.