New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in India this evening on his first official visit since the war in Ukraine began. The two-day visit coincides with the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, and will involve high-level talks, business engagements, and ceremonial events.
Arrival: December 4, Thursday
Putin is scheduled to land in New Delhi at around 6:35 PM.
On arrival, he will proceed to the official residence of Narendra Modi (Lok Kalyan Marg) for a private dinner hosted by the Prime Minister — a reciprocation of the hospitality extended by the Russian leader during Modi’s visit to Moscow last year.
Main engagements – December 5, Friday
The formal welcoming ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan is slated for 11:00 AM.
At 11:30 AM, Putin will visit Rajghat to pay tribute — likely a wreath-laying — at the memorial.
11:50 AM: The 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit kicks off at Hyderabad House, where Putin will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi.
Following the summit discussions, Modi will host a working lunch for Putin and his delegation at Hyderabad House.
Later, at 1:50 PM, a joint press statement is scheduled at Hyderabad House.
At 3:40 PM, Putin will participate in a business event — the India–Russia Business Forum — as part of efforts to deepen trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
In addition, he is expected to inaugurate the Indian channel of the Russian state-run broadcaster RT.
In the evening, at 7:00 PM, a state banquet will be hosted in his honour by Droupadi Murmu.
Later on Friday night, Putin is expected to depart India — his visit concluding after roughly 28 hours. Departure is scheduled for around 9:00 PM (or 9:30 PM, per some reports).
This marks Putin’s first official trip to India since December 2021 — and his first since the Ukraine war began in February 2022. The visit is intended to strengthen the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” between the two nations, covering cooperation across trade, economy, defence, energy, and media. Several bilateral agreements — spanning sectors such as economy, healthcare, culture, media, and strategic cooperation — are expected to be signed during this visit.
The summit and forum — including the business forum and launch of RT’s India channel — reflect a broader push to deepen economic, media, and diplomatic linkages amid shifting global alignments.
