The Russian president is making his tenth visit to the country, and the first since 2021

Russian President Vladimir Putin talks to reporters after his visit to Kyrgyzstan. © Sputnik / Alexey Nikolskiy

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in India on a two-day state visit.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has broken protocol to meet the Russian leader, whom he calls his friend, personally upon his disembarkation.

 

Putin will have a private dinner with Modi on Thursday evening before the two leaders hold delegation-level talks on Friday.

The visit is set to include discussions on collaboration in the defense and space sectors, as well as talks on the joint production of Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jets.

Putin will also officially launch RT India, the network’s Indian channel, on December 5. 

The India-Russia Business Forum is also being held in connection with Putin’s visit in the capital on December 4-5.

 

Show latestShow oldest

04 December 2025

19:19 GMT

Moscow and its partners such as India are striving to find solutions to existing issues and conflicts, to look for the most effective ways to resolve them, Putin told India Today.

“In large alliances like BRICS, or the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, we share a common understanding that we have common values rooted in our traditional beliefs, which underpin our civilizations such as India's civilization for already hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Drawing on this heritage of the past, we work together instead of suppressing opportunities.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin gives interview to India Today and Aaj Tak on December 4, 2025. ©  Sputnik / Vyacheslav Prokofyev

 

19:14 GMT

Putin has called India one of Russia’s “closest friends,” alongside with China. “We treasure that relationship deeply,” the president told India Today.

19:09 GMT

 

 

 

19:04 GMT

Putin has said he does not want to single out individuals responsible for the collapse of the USSR, telling India Today that the Soviet system had proven “not viable.” Instead of looking for culprits, he argued, “we need to think how to create a system that will not simply protect itself but develop.” 

“If such a system is in place, it would be self-sufficient, autonomous and effective,” he said.

19:00 GMT

Putin dismissed any idea of restoring the Soviet Union, saying it is “not on the table” and that Russia has no such goal.

“It does not make sense in current circumstances because it would critically change the national and religious composition of the Russian Federation. It does not make sense,” he told India Today.

18:52 GMT

Watch as RT looks back at the key pillars that have been supporting the friendship between Moscow and New Delhi for decades.

Russia and India: Friendship that's been tested, proven and built to last

 

18:31 GMT

 

 

 

18:26 GMT

The Russian president shared his own rule for life with India Today journalists ahead of his visit. He said he always seeks to do “not just what I consider necessary but what I have no right not to do.”

 

18:19 GMT

Modi has presented Putin with a copy of the Bhagavad Gita in Russian, the Indian prime minister has said on X. Often referred to as the Gita, it is one of the most important sacred Hindu texts that reflects on the relation and dialogue between an individual and God.

 

 

18:06 GMT

Watch the warm welcome the Russian president received upon his arrival in the Indian capital in an RT clip.

 

More