India is likely to explore new high-value defence agreements with Russia, including the potential purchase of additional S-400 air defence systems and discussions on the next-generation S-500 missile system, as Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in New Delhi after four years. His two-day visit includes participation in the 23rd Annual India–Russia Summit, a key platform for bilateral strategic cooperation.
Ahead of Putin’s arrival, Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov reached the Indian Parliament, signalling the significance of the upcoming engagements. Both nations are expected to sign around nine major agreements, with a larger package of up to 25 commercial and strategic pacts being discussed during the summit.
This year, India is hosting the annual summit, during which the two sides aim to push bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030. Key areas of cooperation include energy, investment, technology, and industrial collaboration.
President Putin is accompanied by seven senior ministers, along with the Governor of the Russian Central Bank, indicating high-level representation from Moscow. A closed-door meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin is also scheduled.
Putin will stay at ITC Maurya in Delhi, which has been placed under multi-layered security.
India and Russia share a ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’, a long-standing relationship rooted in defence, technology transfers, and military cooperation. Under this partnership, discussions may advance on modern platforms such as the Su-57 fighter jet and the S-500 air defence system, potentially marking a new phase in defence ties.