As the geopolitical spotlight swings toward New Delhi, India is preparing to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin for a tightly scheduled two-day state visit beginning Thursday. While the visit will feature the grandeur of ceremonial protocol, its core focus remains firmly on trade, defence, and the strategic direction of Indo-Russian relations.
In Amritsar, artist Jagjot Singh Roubal has already captured the moment, unveiling a detailed portrait of President Putin ahead of his India trip — a gesture reflecting the anticipation surrounding the high-profile visit.
A Visit Loaded With Diplomacy and Deliberation
Upon landing in Delhi on Thursday evening, President Putin will be received by senior Indian officials before heading to his South Delhi hotel. Later tonight, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host him for a private dinner at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence — a setting often reserved for India’s closest partners.
Friday morning will mark the ceremonial start of the state visit, with a traditional Guard of Honour by all three wings of the Indian armed forces at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Putin is also scheduled to lay a wreath at Raj Ghat, paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
Trade, Defence, Aviation Talks at Hyderabad House
The real substance of the visit begins at Hyderabad House, where India and Russia will hold both restricted and delegation-level talks. Core discussions are expected to revolve around:
- Boosting bilateral trade
- Deepening defence and aviation cooperation
- Expanding business partnerships
- Finalising a mobility agreement to ease travel between the two nations
- Healthcare and economic cooperation accords
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has already hinted that the emphasis will be on strengthening defence ties and stabilising trade channels at a time when global supply chains and alliances are undergoing rapid shifts.
A Visit Under Western Watch
This summit carries extra geopolitical weight. It arrives at a time when relations between New Delhi and Washington are strained, particularly after the United States imposed steep tariffs on Indian exports — including penalties targeting India’s discounted crude imports from Russia.
For India, the visit is a clear assertion of its strategic autonomy. Rather than aligning firmly with either the Western bloc or Moscow, New Delhi is taking a stance that prioritises national interest and diversified partnerships.
Western capitals, already sensitive to India’s continued engagement with Russia, are expected to watch every development of this visit closely.
Business Engagements and Bilateral Opportunities
Parallel business meetings will bring together industry leaders from both countries. Indian companies are exploring investment opportunities in Russia’s mineral-rich Far East, while Russian companies — under pressure from Western sanctions — are seeking new, stable markets.
A joint statement and a press briefing by PM Modi and President Putin will take place after a working lunch, detailing the results of the summit-level talks.
Security at Unprecedented Levels
Given the sensitivity of the visit, authorities in Delhi have rolled out an extensive five-layered security grid, blending elite manpower and advanced surveillance technologies. The apparatus includes:
- Russia’s Presidential Security Service
- India’s NSG commandos
- Snipers and anti-drone units
- Electronic jamming systems
- AI-backed monitoring platforms
This marks one of the tightest security deployments India has implemented for a visiting head of state in recent years.
Grand Finale at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Before wrapping up the visit, Putin will call on President Droupadi Murmu, followed by a formal state banquet in his honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He is scheduled to depart late Friday night.