India-Russia Summit: Big Deals on Trade, Defence, and Worker Mobility Expected

Key Focus: Boosting ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ as President Putin Visits New Delhi

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to arrive in New Delhi on December 4–5, 2025. This marks his first visit to India since 2021. Officials from both countries call this a “super-high-level visit.” It aims to strengthen the “special and privileged strategic partnership” between the two nations.

Summit Agenda and Key Agreements

The Kremlin released a statement detailing President Putin’s itinerary in India. It includes high-level talks, business meetings, and cultural stops. The agenda features an informal one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Modi. This will be followed by official negotiations. Both sides expect to sign 10 intergovernmental agreements. They also plan to finalize over 15 commercial deals. Other events include participation in the Russia-India Business Forum. Leaders will deliver statements to the media. President Putin will also visit the Mahatma Gandhi memorial.

Seven Russian ministers are part of President Putin’s delegation. They include Defense Minister Sergei Belousov and Finance Minister Anton Siluanov. Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina is also accompanying him. A large business delegation is also travelling with the president. Indian and Russian officials confirmed that many major agreements are ready for signing. These agreements focus primarily on economic cooperation during the summit.

Economic Pacts and Trade Push

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov hosted a pre-summit briefing in New Delhi. He said “very successful” documents were nearing finalization. A major agreement on worker mobility is expected to be signed. This pact covers both skilled and semi-skilled workers. Both governments stress that this arrangement meets strong private-sector demand.

India wants to significantly increase its exports to Russia. Bilateral trade hit a high of $68.7 billion in 2024–25. Indian exports were $4.9 billion. Imports stood at over $63 billion, mostly Russian crude. New Delhi maintains its decisions are guided by affordability and energy security. This is despite a recent 25% U.S. tariff on Indian Russian oil purchases.

Connectivity and Currency Challenges

India hopes the planned India–Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Free Trade Agreement will open new doors. It would help exporters facing tariffs and trade barriers. Assessments have identified key growth sectors in all five EAEU states. These states are Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.

The summit will also highlight key connectivity corridors. The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) boosted Russian shipments of coal and fertilizer to India. The Chennai–Vladivostok Maritime Corridor is also increasing cargo volumes. Cooperation on the Northern Sea Route will feature prominently. This includes icebreaker production and training for Indian seafarers.

Both nations recognized ongoing issues with the rupee–rouble settlement mechanism. However, most trade now uses national currencies. The Reserve Bank of India and the Russian Central Bank are in technical talks to stabilize the system. The Russian Central Bank opened its Mumbai representative office on Wednesday. On sanctions, Peskov emphasized Russia’s accumulated resilience.

Defence, Nuclear, and Future Technology

Defence remains crucial to the strategic partnership. Peskov confirmed the S-400 air defence system will be a key discussion topic. He also mentioned the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet in the dialogue. He proudly described it as “the best plane in the world.”

Peskov highlighted Russia’s commitment to deeper industrial collaboration. This involves joint defence manufacturing with India. “We are launching joint productions on Indian territory and we’ll continue this road,” the Kremlin Spox stressed.

The summit will likely discuss Russia’s proposal for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). It will also review the progress on Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant Units 5 and 6. Space and science are traditional cooperation areas. These domains will also be high on the agenda.