Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit India on December 4-5

In the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India on December 4 and 5. The Ministry of External Affairs announced that during the visit, President Putin will lead the Russian delegation at the 23rd India-Russia annual summit.

Announcing the visit, MEA said, “The upcoming State visit will provide an opportunity to the leaders of India and Russia to review the progress in bilateral relations, chalk out the vision of strengthening the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.”

Apart from his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the annual summit, President Putin will also meet with President Droupadi Murmu, who will host a state banquet in honor of Russia’s dignitaries. This is President Putin’s first visit since his visit to India on December 6, 2021 for the 21st India-Russia annual summit.

Russia launched the ‘Special Military Operation’ against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, which brought harsh Western sanctions on Russia and led to a reorientation of India-Russia trade relations, where energy became a key component for the first time. Russia’s energy imports to India have become a major issue in India-US relations since President Donald Trump imposed punitive sanctions on India in early August. India has called for an end to the Ukraine conflict, with Prime Minister Modi describing Indian policy as “now is not the time for war”. However, attacks from both sides continued on the Ukrainian battlefield.

The incoming visit is also important because it comes just days after President Trump published a new 28-article Ukraine-Russia peace formula that will call on Kiev to cede territory to Russia and limit the size of the Ukrainian army.