Prime Minister Modi will host President Putin at a private dinner shortly after he lands in Delhi on Thursday. People familiar with the matter say the dinner will offer a space for candid talks. It will be the first visit by Putin to India since December 2021. The state visit will last just over 24 hours.

On December 5, the two leaders will hold formal discussions. They will meet both privately and with their delegations as part of the annual India–Russia Summit.

Focus on trade, cooperation, and business

They plan to sign deals covering trade, economy, agriculture and academic collaboration. After the agreements are finalised, Modi and Putin will attend a business event. This event is organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Roscongress at Bharat Mandapam.

India and Russia want to widen and balance their trade. Last year, their bilateral trade hit about US$ 68 billion, mostly driven by Russian oil sales to India. But Indian exports to Russia were under US$ 5 billion. Before the summit, officials from both sides said they will push to expand trade and improve access for Indian goods in Russian markets.

Private dinner mirrors past tradition

The planned dinner at the prime minister’s residence is a return gesture. Putin had hosted a similar dinner when Modi visited Moscow last July. Insiders say this informal setting will let them discuss bilateral and global issues more freely.

Ceremonies and formal talks line up

On the morning of December 5, India will give Putin a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan. A tri-services guard of honour will also be held. Putin will then visit Raj Ghat to pay tribute at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi.

Later, Modi and Putin will meet at Hyderabad House. They will hold both private and full-delegation discussions.

On Friday evening, Putin will launch the Indian channel of Russian broadcaster RT at ITC Maurya Hotel. He will also attend a banquet hosted by Droupadi Murmu before he departs India.

Defence, security cooperation moves ahead

Ahead of the visit, Russia’s parliament ratified a defence logistics pact with India. The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS) will let warships, military aircraft and personnel from both countries use each other’s ports and bases. It also simplifies logistics for joint exercises and humanitarian missions. Some described it as similar to the Indian-U.S. Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA).

Officials said the summit may also discuss the supply of military hardware — such as the S-400 air-defence system, Su-57 jets, and small nuclear reactors — and nuclear energy cooperation.

A visit with wide-ranging aims

President Putin’s visit could reshape India–Russia ties in trade, defence, energy, and diplomacy. Between private talks, business forums, official ceremonies and high-level negotiations, the visit promises to deepen the partnership between the two nations.