Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India later this year, with the exact dates currently being finalised. The confirmation came from National Security Adviser Ajit Doval during his visit to Moscow on Thursday.
Doval, who met with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, conveyed India’s enthusiasm for the upcoming engagement, saying New Delhi is “excited and delighted” about the visit. He also described previous India-Russia summits as “watershed moments” in the history of bilateral ties, highlighting the importance of the anticipated meeting.
Putin’s trip will mark his first visit to India since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022.
Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin met twice — first in July during PM Modi’s Moscow visit for the 22nd India-Russia Summit, which was his first bilateral trip after beginning his third term in office. During that visit, Putin conferred India’s Prime Minister with Russia’s highest civilian award , the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle — recognising his contributions to strengthening bilateral ties. The leaders met again in October at the BRICS Summit in Kazan.
Putin’s upcoming visit comes at a delicate time, with India facing growing pressure from Washington over its continued import of Russian oil. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, citing India’s oil trade with Moscow. The US has also issued warnings of possible secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian crude unless Russia agrees to end the war in Ukraine, which is now nearing its fourth year.