- By Shubham Bajpai
- Thu, 04 Dec 2025 07:52 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to commence his two-day visit to India on Thursday. He will arrive in New Delhi today on a special plane with his largest cabinet entourage.
Shortly after arriving in New Delhi, he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence, where a dinner has been hosted in his honor.
The visit has caught global attention as the 23rd India-Russia annual summit, chaired by Modi and Putin, is scheduled for Friday. The meeting is crucial as it comes at a time when the United States is exerting diplomatic and economic pressure on India over its purchase of Russian oil. President Putin's visit to New Delhi is being closely watched.
Ahead of Putin's visit, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the Russian Presidential Palace stated that economic and trade issues would be of paramount importance to both countries. This is further indicated by the fact that all the economic ministers in President Putin's cabinet are accompanying him to New Delhi.
Putin's large cabinet that is coming to India includes Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Alexey Gruzdev, Agriculture Minister Oxana Lut, Digital Communications Minister Sergei Kushchev, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and Defense Minister Andrey Belousov. This is the largest delegation of the Russian government to visit abroad in recent years.
The preparations to give a new direction to business relations are also evident as heads or senior executives of 75 major Russian companies have arrived in New Delhi, a day before Putin's visit. Putin and Modi will hold a joint meeting with top executives from 75 major companies from each country on Friday afternoon.
India's emphasis on bridging trade deficit
Russia is trying to encourage Indian companies in the retail, information technology and technology sectors to set up plants back home, while the Indian side wants Russia to import as many products and services as possible from India to bridge the trade deficit.
Trade between India and Russia totaled $68 billion in 2024-25, but India's exports amounted to only $5 billion. Last fortnight, Russia began importing potatoes, pomegranates, and seafood from India, which is far less to cover the trade deficit.
Deliberations on defense relations
Modi and Putin are also likely to discuss some important issues related to defense. However, a report by Jagran.com, citing sources, stated that agreement on any purchases is unlikely at this time.
Russia's share in India's defense equipment is declining rapidly, but it still represents 36 per cent of India's total imports.