Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded a significant two-day state visit to India this week, marked by high-level meetings, strategic discussions, and a series of agreements aimed at strengthening the multifaceted partnership between the two countries. Beginning with a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan and concluding with a grand banquet hosted in his honour by President Droupadi Murmu, Putin’s visit provided an opportunity to consolidate the decades-old India-Russia relationship while addressing pressing global and bilateral issues.

The visit took place against a backdrop of ongoing international tensions, particularly the war in Ukraine. Ahead of the bilateral discussions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi clarified India’s position on the conflict. He emphasized that India is not neutral but firmly on the “side of peace,” advocating for a resolution through dialogue and diplomacy. “We always support peace. We support a peaceful solution to the conflict,” Modi stated, underlining India’s commitment to global stability and conflict resolution.

President Putin, responding to Modi’s remarks, expressed appreciation for India’s proactive engagement in efforts to promote peace in Ukraine. He also highlighted the breadth of India-Russia relations, noting cooperation across several strategic sectors, including the military, space development, artificial intelligence, and other technological domains. The two leaders’ discussions reaffirmed the depth of bilateral ties, which span political, economic, defence, and technological areas, and reflected a shared interest in addressing both regional and global challenges.

A central component of the visit was the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, where both leaders held in-depth talks on the current geopolitical situation, bilateral cooperation, and shared objectives. At the summit, Prime Minister Modi pressed for the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine war through dialogue, reiterating India’s position in favor of diplomacy and negotiation over military conflict. Putin, in turn, assured that Russia is working toward a peaceful solution and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to engaging constructively in dialogue.

Economic cooperation formed a significant part of the agenda during the visit. During their discussions, both leaders agreed to expand trade and economic collaboration under a new framework extending to 2030. Modi announced the launch of an economic cooperation program, which aims to enhance trade relations, deepen investment opportunities, and foster broader economic integration. “Taking India-Russia economic partnership to new heights is our common priority,” Modi said during the joint press briefing. Both countries expressed their shared ambition to increase annual bilateral trade to USD 100 billion, reflecting a commitment to long-term economic growth and resilience in the face of external pressures, including trade sanctions imposed by other countries.

At the business forum held as part of the visit, Modi highlighted ongoing discussions on a potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the Eurasian Economic Union. The FTA, if implemented, could facilitate smoother trade flows, reduce barriers, and provide opportunities for greater investment in sectors ranging from manufacturing to technology. Both leaders emphasized that expanding bilateral trade and strengthening economic cooperation would remain central to India-Russia relations over the coming years.

Infrastructure and connectivity were also key themes during the visit. Modi and Putin signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the port and shipping sector, signaling a concerted effort to enhance trade logistics and maritime connectivity. In addition, both countries committed to strengthening transport corridors and expanding logistics links, focusing on projects such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Chennai–Vladivostok Maritime Corridor, and the Northern Sea Route. These initiatives are intended to improve the efficiency of cargo movement, increase infrastructure capacity, and facilitate faster, more reliable trade between the two countries.

Tourism promotion emerged as another important outcome of the visit. In an effort to boost people-to-people exchanges and encourage Russian tourists to visit India, Prime Minister Modi announced that India would soon introduce a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day group tourist visa for Russian citizens. This measure is expected to make travel to India more accessible for Russian tourists, while fostering greater cultural and educational exchanges between the two nations.

Energy cooperation also featured prominently during the discussions. Amid ongoing international pressures, particularly from the United States, to limit India’s engagement with Russian energy, President Putin affirmed that Russia would continue “uninterrupted shipments” of oil, gas, and coal to India. “Russia is a reliable supplier of oil, gas, coal, and everything that is required for the development of India’s energy,” he said, emphasizing that these shipments are critical to supporting India’s rapidly growing energy demands and overall economic development. Putin’s assurances underscore the strategic importance of energy security in the India-Russia partnership, particularly at a time when global energy markets face volatility.

Earlier in the day, President Putin also visited Rajghat in New Delhi, where he paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi by laying a wreath and signing the visitors’ book. The visit to Rajghat reflected Russia’s recognition of India’s rich cultural heritage and highlighted the longstanding historical ties between the two countries. Throughout the visit, the leaders reaffirmed the significance of cultural, educational, and technological exchanges as pillars of their bilateral relationship.

The visit culminated with a grand banquet hosted by President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. In her address, the President emphasized that the India-Russia partnership is guided by a shared commitment to peace, stability, and mutual socio-economic and technological advancement. She highlighted the progress made over the past year in high-level political exchanges, trade and economic cooperation, defence, civil nuclear collaboration, space and science initiatives, education, culture, and people-to-people contacts. The banquet provided an opportunity to celebrate the enduring friendship between India and Russia, which spans over eight decades and continues to evolve in response to changing global and regional dynamics.

The two-day visit underscored a shared vision for the future, with both nations reaffirming their commitment to strategic collaboration across a wide range of sectors. From advancing trade and energy cooperation to deepening connectivity and tourism, India and Russia demonstrated a renewed focus on strengthening bilateral relations in a comprehensive and forward-looking manner. The discussions also reinforced the mutual commitment to addressing global challenges collaboratively, including terrorism, energy security, and regional stability.

Overall, President Putin’s visit to India was a carefully calibrated exercise in diplomacy, trade promotion, and strategic partnership. It highlighted the resilience of the India-Russia relationship, its capacity to withstand global pressures, and its potential to grow in scope and scale across multiple sectors. With agreements on trade, transport, tourism, and energy, coupled with shared commitments to peace and stability, the visit provided a roadmap for the next phase of India-Russia engagement, ensuring that the partnership continues to prosper and adapt in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

In conclusion, the two-day visit emphasized that India and Russia share not only a strategic partnership but also a broad-based relationship encompassing economic, technological, cultural, and people-to-people dimensions. Through high-level discussions, MoUs, and strategic commitments, both nations demonstrated their determination to expand cooperation, address shared challenges, and build a long-lasting, resilient, and mutually beneficial partnership. The visit also highlighted India’s growing role as a global actor advocating for peace and stability, while Russia reaffirmed its strategic support for India in multiple sectors, from energy to infrastructure and trade. Putin’s visit ultimately reinforced the enduring nature of the India-Russia partnership and set the stage for further growth and collaboration in the years ahead.