Putin India Visit LIVE Updates: Russian President Vladimir Putin will reach India for a highly anticipated visit on Thursday afternoon — holding talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attending the India-Russia summit. The two countries are slated to ink several agreements to enhance cooperation in an array of areas, including trade and healthcare, during the President’s visit.
New Delhi has found itself walking a diplomatic tightrope amidst the Ukraine war as it strove to maintain ties with Moscow and also assuage Western concerns. The upcoming visit is likely to be closely watched by the US and various European nations, and comes amid hectic efforts to broker a peace deal with Kyiv.
Recent pressure from the US, including the imposition of a 50% tariff against Indian imports, is likely to loom large as Putin and Modi sit down for talks. Boosting defence ties, insulating bilateral trade from external pressure and exploring cooperation in small modular reactors are likely to be the key focus areas of their discussions on Friday.
PM Modi’s message for Putin
Ahead of Putin’s visit, several diplomats from European countries have quietly asked the Indian government to use its influence to help bring the conflict to an end. According to information gathered by The Indian Express, officials from a number of European nations, including those in eastern Europe who feel the war threatens their security and even their survival, have delivered this message gently and indirectly in recent days.
IE sources say their basic request to India has been the same: since India has a working relationship with Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has previously said that wars cannot be solved through fighting alone, they hope Delhi will urge him to stop the conflict.
This approach is quite different from how European governments reacted in early 2022, right after the invasion began. At that time, many European leaders and foreign ministers traveled to Delhi to strongly push India to denounce Russia’s actions and take a firm stand against Moscow.
India did not openly condemn the invasion, but it did speak out about the Bucha killings and called for an international investigation, a rare step for Delhi. Throughout the war, India has tried to balance its position and repeatedly abstained from voting on Ukraine-related resolutions at the United Nations.
Putin’s India Visit: Full Itinerary
Thursday will be somewhat quiet with Putin reaching New Delhi around 4:30 pm. His only scheduled engagement for the evening will be a private dinner with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The gesture is also a reciprocation of similar arrangements extended to the Indian leader during his visit to Moscow in July 2024.
Putin will be accorded a ceremonial welcome on Friday morning and reportedly visit Rajghat in the morning. Most of his day will be spent leading the India-Russia summit at Hyderabad House. Modi will also host a working lunch for the Russian leader and his delegation at the venue. He will also launch the new India channel of the Russian state-run broadcaster after the Summit and participate in the Russia-India Business Forum. The Kremlin chief will attend a state banquet hosted in his honour by President Droupadi Murmu before departing around 9:30 pm on Friday.
What’s on the agenda?
The Ministry of External Affairs recently indicated that the two leaders would review the bilateral relationship, set future goals and discuss key global issues during their meeting. The Kremlin has also issued a similar statement — adding that the India-Russia 2030 strategic economic roadmap would be signed during the visit. The talks are also likely to feature ways to address the bilateral trade “imbalance” between the two countries .
“It is important as it provides the opportunity to comprehensively discuss the entire extensive agenda of Russian-Indian ties. It is meant to sign and adopt the whole range of bilateral documents in the various spheres in conclusion of the visit, including the Development Programme of strategic areas of Russian-Indian economic cooperation by 2030,” Russian state media outlet TASS quoted Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov as saying on Wednesday. Modi and Putin are also expected to discuss defence and energy cooperation as India hopes to hasten delivery of S-400 air defence systems. India will also raise delays in other projects — including the Sukhoi upgrade — and discuss possible interest in Russian Su-57 fighter jets .
The Ukraine war and tangentially the supply of Russian oil to India are also likely to be major topics under discussion. Moscow has incidentally offered extra discounts to New Delhi after it reduced purchases amid US pushback. Overall trade is also likely to be in focus, with both countries expected to discuss an increase of Indian exports to Russia — especially for pharmaceuticals, machinery, and agriculture. The summit will also cover civil aviation, critical minerals, investment projects, and labour movement.
PM Modi-President Putin Meeting LIVE Updates:
Putin India Visit LIVE: India-Russia Defence Ministers to hold talks today
India’s interest in buying S-400 missile systems, upgrading its Sukhoi-30 fighter jets, and purchasing other important military equipment from Russia will be a key topic when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov on Thursday.
Senior military officials say the main goal is to strengthen the already strong defence and security relationship between the two countries, especially by making sure Russia delivers military equipment to India on time.
Belousov is traveling with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of his delegation to India. The meeting between the two defence ministers will happen one day before Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold their summit. During the discussions, India is expected to press Russia to deliver all promised military equipment within the agreed deadlines.
Putin India Visit LIVE: All about Putin’s luxury car – Aurus Senat
At the center of Putin’s heavy security is his main vehicle, the Aurus Senat. People call it a “fortress on wheels.” It is a modern, fully armored luxury car built to survive very serious dangers, like bombs, sniper shots, and even chemical attacks.
The Aurus Senat is part of Russia’s Kortezh program and is made for top government leaders. It has special features such as an airtight interior, its own supply of fresh air, and secure communication systems.
The car is more than just strong protection—it also works like a moving command center. It has surveillance tools, secure radios, and live security video feeds, making sure Putin stays safe and can stay in control wherever he travels.
Putin India Visit LIVE: Why is Putin’s ‘poop suitcase’ in discussion?
One of the most discussed parts of Putin’s security routine is a small, unusual suitcase that always goes with him. When he travels to other countries, his security team collects all of his waste, seals it, and sends it back to Russia. They do this so no foreign intelligence agency can study his health or use any information against him. His bodyguards stay very close, even when he goes to the bathroom, to make sure he never leaves anything behind.
Putin India Visit LIVE: Unprecedented Security Measures
The trip will also be marked by an elaborate and unprecedented five-layer protection that includes snipers, drones, and AI surveillance. Trained commandos from the Russian Presidential Security Service will join Indian National Security Guard commandos to provide cover for Putin and his delegation. Reports indicate that dozens of security officials from Russia have already reached Delhi to secure the relevant premises.