Bonhomie on Day 1, business on Day 2: What is Putin’s agenda in Delhi today?

It’s one of the most important State visits of the year. Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at Delhi’s Palam airport last evening, and India went all out to welcome him. Breaking protocol, PM Narendra Modi went to receive him.

The Modi-Putin bonhomie was on display. The PM received the Russian leader with an embrace, after which both of them left in Modi’s car. If it is uncommon for the prime minister to receive a foreign leader, it is even rarer for him to travel with them. But Russia and Putin matter to India, and the PM made that amply clear.

Modi then hosted a private dinner for Putin at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, the PM’s residence, which lasted for about three hours. The Russian leader rested for the night at the presidential suite in ITC Maurya, which has hosted other world leaders like Donald Trump and Barack Obama.

More from Explainers

In Graphics: How India-Russia defence partnership has remained strong for years Vladimir Putin's India visit: From Independence to Ukraine war, how ties between countries remain strong

This is Putin’s first trip to India in four years and the first since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It comes at a time when India faces increasing pressure from the United States over its close relationship with Moscow.

If Day 1 was about friendship, Day 2 is expected to be about business.

What is on Putin’s agenda today?

The Russian premier will have a packed schedule on Friday (December 5), when he and PM Modi will hold discussions to strengthen trade, defence and economic ties.

Putin will begin his day with a visit to Rashtrapati Bhavan at 11 am, where he will be accorded a ceremonial welcome.

The Russian president will then visit Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. After spending about 20 minutes there, he will head to Hyderabad House for the 23rd India-Russia summit.

Editor’s Picks

1

Handshakes, hugs and carpool diplomacy… Modi-Putin bonhomie shines on Day 1 of visit 2

Why Putin can travel to India without worrying about the ICC arrest warrant

Both leaders are expected to issue a joint statement after the talks. PM Modi will then host a working lunch for Putin and his delegation.

After lunch, Putin will arrive at Bharat Mandapam for a business event. He will reportedly address top business leaders at the India-Russia Business Forum, which aims to enhance bilateral investment and trade cooperation between the two countries.

He will also attend the launch of Russia’s state-run broadcaster RT’s India channel.

Around 7 pm, the Russian leader will meet President Droupadi Murmu, who will host a banquet in his honour.

Putin is expected to depart from India around 9:30 pm.

What will Modi-Putin talks entail?

The summit between PM Modi and President Putin is expected to touch upon a range of topics, including defence and trade.

As per The New York Times (NYT), the discussions are likely to include expanding India’s imports of Russian fertiliser and building small nuclear plants in India.

Putin’s visit could see India announce the purchase of additional S-400 air-defence system units. In 2018, New Delhi signed a $5 billion deal with Moscow for five S-400 units. While three squadrons have been delivered, two more are expected by mid-next year.

The system had played a key role during Operation Sindoor in May.

The proposal to link India’s RuPay with Russia’s Mir payment network and simplify rupee–rouble trade settlements could also dominate the discussions, as per Times of India.

According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, Russia could also offer to sell the fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter jets to India.

Peskov said that a new agreement on labour mobility is also expected. This would make it easier for Russian companies to hire workers from India.

The two sides will also sign other bilateral agreements spanning various sectors. One of the main pacts will be the Programme for the Development of Strategic Areas of Russian-Indian Economic Cooperation until 2030.

Modi and Putin could also hold talks about insulating India-Russia trade from US sanctions, as well as deepening defence cooperation, reported Hindustan Times. 

The impact of America’s high tariffs on India for purchasing Russian crude oil could also come up at the summit. New Delhi is likely to stress addressing the growing trade deficit caused by its large-scale procurement of Russian crude oil, according to news agency PTI.

Putin’s aide, Yury Ushakov, said, “This visit… provides an opportunity to discuss the extensive agenda of Russian-Indian relations comprehensively. In addition to the main talks with Narendra Modi, the programme includes a visit to the Russia-India Business Forum and participation in the launch ceremony of the RT TV channel in India.”

India could also reiterate its stance on Russia’s war with Ukraine, emphasising the need for peace and dialogue. Putin could brief Modi about the US’ peace proposal to end the four-year-long conflict.

With inputs from agencies