President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Ukrainians on the evening of December 24 with a Christmas message that blended faith, grief, and resilience, reflecting the shared emotions of a nation at war. He said Ukrainians are united by a single hope during the festive season, even as the country continues to endure relentless Russian attacks.&nbsp;"Today, we all have the same dream and wish for the same thing. “For him to die”, everyone will say about themselves, but when we turn to God, of course, we ask for more, we ask for peace for Ukraine," the President said. Zelenskyy condemned Russia’s actions, calling its forces “godless” and pointing to the massive bombardment carried out on December 23, when hundreds of drones and missiles, including “Shaheds” and “Daggers,” were launched at Ukrainian cities. Such attacks, he said, have nothing to do with Christianity or basic humanity.&nbsp;He described Christmas Eve as a deeply symbolic moment filled with a unique warmth, emphasising that the holiday reflects everything that defines Ukrainians, their love for family, homeland, traditions, and shared roots. "It is happiness when the whole family gathers at the table. When we finally met, we hugged each other and asked each other: How are you? All this has always been an integral part of our Christmas. But in the fourth year of the full-scale war for independence, they are trying to take all this away," Zelensky said.<h2>Watch the video here</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Zelensky wishing for Putin’s death on his Christmas message: My dear people, since ancient times, Ukrainians believed that on Christmas night, the heavens open. And if you tell them your dream, it will surely come true. Today, we all have one dream. And we have one wish for… <a href="https://t.co/spaWEIsyoz">pic.twitter.com/spaWEIsyoz</a>&mdash; Clash Report (@clashreport) <a href="https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/2003851485885407623?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Despite separation caused by war, the president stressed that Ukrainians remain emotionally connected, whether they are together physically or apart. This bond, he said, cannot be destroyed and continues to give people strength and hope.&nbsp;He added that while Russia has brought destruction and suffering, it cannot destroy what truly matters: the unity of Ukrainians, their belief in one another, and the strength of their national spirit. According to Zelenskyy, true joy does not come from festive decorations but from the inner light that lives within people. "In the skies of Kyiv, Zakarpattia, Odesa, or Kupiansk – wherever they are, Ukrainians are together today. They celebrate Christmas on the same date as one big family," Zelensky said.

'For him to die”: Volodymyr Zelensky voices Ukraine’s Christmas wish | WATCH

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Ukrainians on the evening of December 24 with a Christmas message that blended faith, grief, and resilience, reflecting the shared emotions of a nation at war. He said Ukrainians are united by a single hope during the festive season, even as the country continues to endure relentless Russian attacks. "Today, we all have the same dream and wish for the same thing. “For him to die”, everyone will say about themselves, but when we turn to God, of course, we ask for more, we ask for peace for Ukraine," the President said. Zelenskyy condemned Russia’s actions, calling its forces “godless” and pointing to the massive bombardment carried out on December 23, when hundreds of drones and missiles, including “Shaheds” and “Daggers,” were launched at Ukrainian cities. Such attacks, he said, have nothing to do with Christianity or basic humanity. He described Christmas Eve as a deeply symbolic moment filled with a unique warmth, emphasising that the holiday reflects everything that defines Ukrainians, their love for family, homeland, traditions, and shared roots. "It is happiness when the whole family gathers at the table. When we finally met, we hugged each other and asked each other: How are you? All this has always been an integral part of our Christmas. But in the fourth year of the full-scale war for independence, they are trying to take all this away," Zelensky said. Watch the video here

Zelensky’s Christmas address highlights unity, faith, and resilience, saying Russia cannot destroy Ukraine’s heart, spirit, or hope for peace

Russian President Vladimir Putin was asked about the 3I ATLAS comet and its possible link to an extraterrestrial being by a reporter during the annual televised press conference. Vladimir Putin responded that his answer should remain &nbsp;“strictly between us”, and then he said it's “Russia's secret weapon”, as the crowd erupted in laughter. Putin then further added that Russia will only use this weapon in the most extreme case. “Because we are against deploying weapons in space”.&nbsp;“Seriously, though, it's a comet. Our scientists are aware of what's happening. Moreover, it's a comet from another galaxy, so it behaves differently than comets of our galactic origin,” said Putin while addressing the lady Kristina in the crowd.Putin further clarified that the 3I/ATLAS has a different shell, and as it approaches closer to the sun, different processes appear on its surface, such as elongation of the tail, etc. He said that the moon, which appears so close, is 400,000 km away from Earth, and the 3I/ATLAS is 259 million km away from Earth, and it poses no threat.<h2>Putin's annual press conference</h2>The annual marathon event lasted approximately four hours, and appx 2.5 million questions were sent in for the 2025 event. Among them, there were several grilling and light-hearted moments. One young boy asked if Putin roamed around Moscow like an undercover spy, to which Putin responded, "Sometimes". Kirill Bazhanov, a 23-year-old student, proposed to his girlfriend Olga on live air. Another man asked to put up a monument for Persian poet Omar Khayyam, to which Putin agreed.From time to time, there were sarcastic comments that popped up on the big screen, showing incoming text messages intended for the president. Few users grilled Putin. One user wrote, "Not a direct line, but a circus," another wrote, ”Vladimir Vladimirovich, it's Friday already, can we break out the booze?”Some commented about the rusty tap water, a few asked about internet outages, and one person asked about the poor economic conditions. One user wrote, "Block Roskomnadzor itself!" attacking the communication watchdog, which has blocked all foreign tech platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook and Snapchat.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Putin laughs off alien rumours around the 3I/ATLAS comet, calling it 'Russia’s secret weapon' before assuring it poses no threat to Earth.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was asked about the 3I ATLAS comet and its possible link to an extraterrestrial being by a reporter during the annual televised press conference. Vladimir Putin responded that his answer should remain “strictly between us”, and then he said it's “Russia's secret weapon”, as the crowd erupted in laughter. Putin then further added that Russia will only use this weapon in the most extreme case. “Because we are against deploying weapons in space”. “Seriously, though, it's a comet. Our scientists are aware of what's happening. Moreover, it's a comet from another galaxy, so it behaves differently than comets of our galactic origin,” said Putin while addressing the lady Kristina in the crowd. Putin further clarified that the 3I/ATLAS has a different shell, and as it approaches closer to the sun, different processes appear on its surface, such as elongation of the tail, etc. He said that the moon, which appears so close, is 400,000 km away from Earth, and the 3I/ATLAS is 259 million km away from Earth, and it poses no threat. Putin's annual press conference The annual marathon event lasted approximately four hours, and appx 2.5 million questions were sent in for the 2025 event. Among them, there were several grilling and light-hearted moments. One young boy asked if Putin roamed around Moscow like an undercover spy, to which Putin responded, "Sometimes". Kirill Bazhanov, a 23-year-old student, proposed to his girlfriend Olga on live air. Another man asked to put up a monument for Persian poet Omar Khayyam, to which Putin agreed. From time to time, there were sarcastic comments that popped up on the big screen, showing incoming text messages intended for the president. Few users grilled Putin. One user wrote, "Not a direct line, but a circus," another wrote, ”Vladimir Vladimirovich, it's Friday already, can we break out the booze?”Some commented about the rusty tap water, a few asked about internet outages, and one person asked about the poor economic conditions. One user wrote, "Block Roskomnadzor itself!" attacking the communication watchdog, which has blocked all foreign tech platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook and Snapchat.

Putin laughs off alien rumours around the 3I/ATLAS comet, calling it “Russia’s secret weapon” before assuring it poses no threat to Earth.

Putin jokes about 3I/ATLAS comet as 'Russia’s secret weapon' at annual press conference

Russian President Vladimir Putin said there would be no further “special military operations” only if the West treats Russia with respect during a live broadcast, as reported by the BBC. He said that Russia wants the West to consider its interests, as the Russians have considered on numerous occasions. Putin accused Europeans of "cheating" Russia with NATO's eastward expansion. He asserted again that Russia didn't start this war. &nbsp;&nbsp;“As we say, they screwed us; they simply disregarded our security interests”, said Putin. He said Russia would immediately cease hostilities if assured of its" security conditions in the medium and long terms". These statements are part of the live end-of-year call-in show aired on December 19, 2025, where BBC reporters confronted him on various issues, including the ongoing Russia-Europe tensions.&nbsp;Responding to the claims of attacking Europe, Putin said, “They say that we are going to attack Europe! What nonsense is that?!” Putin claimed that this was part of Europe's domestic political agenda. Europe wants to portray Russia as an “enemy” state. Russia wants to work with the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe, but as equals. There was a change of demeanour toward the United States, and it is no longer presented as an adversary.Putin claimed that he believed that Ukraine is not ready to end the war with Russia. Because Kyiv is unwilling to make territorial concessions, however, it conceded that there were “some signals” of Ukraine's willingness to engage in dialogue. Earlier, the European Union leaders had finalised a €90bn loan to Ukraine to continue its ongoing defence against Russia's aggression, as they failed to reach an agreement on whether to use frozen Russian assets to provide a loan to Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin says Russia will halt military operations only if the West respects its security interests, accusing NATO and Europe of cheating Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said there would be no further “special military operations” only if the West treats Russia with respect during a live broadcast, as reported by the BBC. He said that Russia wants the West to consider its interests, as the Russians have considered on numerous occasions. Putin accused Europeans of "cheating" Russia with NATO's eastward expansion. He asserted again that Russia didn't start this war. “As we say, they screwed us; they simply disregarded our security interests”, said Putin. He said Russia would immediately cease hostilities if assured of its" security conditions in the medium and long terms". These statements are part of the live end-of-year call-in show aired on December 19, 2025, where BBC reporters confronted him on various issues, including the ongoing Russia-Europe tensions. Responding to the claims of attacking Europe, Putin said, “They say that we are going to attack Europe! What nonsense is that?!” Putin claimed that this was part of Europe's domestic political agenda. Europe wants to portray Russia as an “enemy” state. Russia wants to work with the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe, but as equals. There was a change of demeanour toward the United States, and it is no longer presented as an adversary. Putin claimed that he believed that Ukraine is not ready to end the war with Russia. Because Kyiv is unwilling to make territorial concessions, however, it conceded that there were “some signals” of Ukraine's willingness to engage in dialogue. Earlier, the European Union leaders had finalised a €90bn loan to Ukraine to continue its ongoing defence against Russia's aggression, as they failed to reach an agreement on whether to use frozen Russian assets to provide a loan to Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin says Russia will halt military operations only if the West respects its security interests, accusing NATO and Europe of cheating Moscow.

Putin says Russia will end ‘special military operations’ if West respects its security interests

Russian President Vladimir Putin slammed the calls in the West to prepare for a “major war” with Russia on Wednesday (Dec 17). He described it as a "hysteria" and "a lie". The Russian president's remark came after the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's remarks in Berlin last week. He had said that the military bloc should be "prepared for the scale of war our grandparents or great-grandparents endured".&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-trump-has-an-alcoholic-s-personality-us-president-s-chief-of-staff-susie-wiles-makes-big-claims-in-disingenuously-framed-interview-1765912672199">‘Trump has an alcoholic's personality’: US president’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, makes big claims in ‘disingenuously framed’ interview</a>&nbsp;Putin said in response, "I have repeatedly stated: this is a lie, nonsense, pure nonsense about some imaginary Russian threat to European countries. But this is being done quite deliberately."&nbsp;In a speech in Berlin, NATO Secretary General Rutte said many allies of the alliance did not feel the urgency of Russia's threat in Europe.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zohran-mamdani-who-won-nyc-mayor-polls-on-promise-to-make-city-affordable-set-to-move-into-100mn-mansion-with-wife-for-safety-1765296231524">Zohran Mamdani, who won NYC mayor polls on promise to make City ‘affordable’, set to move into $100mn mansion with wife for ‘safety’</a>&nbsp;"We are Russia's next target. I fear that too many are quietly complacent. Too many don't feel the urgency. And too many believe that time is on our side. It is not. The time for action is now," Rutte said. "Conflict is at our door. Russia has brought war back to Europe. And we must be prepared," he added.&nbsp;The Russian supremo also lashed out at Ukraine and the West, saying if they abandon the peace talks, then Russia will take the lands it claims in Ukraine through military means, Reuters reported. "The goals of the special military operation will certainly be achieved," Putin said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-pakistan-pm-crashes-putin-erdogan-meeting-after-waiting-for-russian-prez-for-40-minutes-this-is-what-happened-next-1765555322420">WATCH: Pakistan PM crashes Putin-Erdogan meeting after waiting for Russian prez for 40 minutes. This is what happened next</a> &nbsp;

In a speech in Berlin, NATO Secretary General Rutte said many allies of the alliance did not feel the urgency of Russia threat in Europe.



Russian President Vladimir Putin slammed the calls in the West to prepare for a “major war” with Russia on Wednesday (Dec 17). He described it as a "hysteria" and "a lie". The Russian president's remark came after the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's remarks in Berlin last week. He had said that the military bloc should be "prepared for the scale of war our grandparents or great-grandparents endured". Also read: ‘Trump has an alcoholic's personality’: US president’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, makes big claims in ‘disingenuously framed’ interview Putin said in response, "I have repeatedly stated: this is a lie, nonsense, pure nonsense about some imaginary Russian threat to European countries. But this is being done quite deliberately." In a speech in Berlin, NATO Secretary General Rutte said many allies of the alliance did not feel the urgency of Russia's threat in Europe. Also read: Zohran Mamdani, who won NYC mayor polls on promise to make City ‘affordable’, set to move into $100mn mansion with wife for ‘safety’ "We are Russia's next target. I fear that too many are quietly complacent. Too many don't feel the urgency. And too many believe that time is on our side. It is not. The time for action is now," Rutte said. "Conflict is at our door. Russia has brought war back to Europe. And we must be prepared," he added. The Russian supremo also lashed out at Ukraine and the West, saying if they abandon the peace talks, then Russia will take the lands it claims in Ukraine through military means, Reuters reported. "The goals of the special military operation will certainly be achieved," Putin said. Also read: WATCH: Pakistan PM crashes Putin-Erdogan meeting after waiting for Russian prez for 40 minutes. This is what happened next

In a speech in Berlin, NATO Secretary General Rutte said many allies of the alliance did not feel the urgency of Russia's threat in Europe.&nbsp;

‘Lie, pure nonsense’: Putin slams NATO chief’s ‘prepare for a war’ remark, says Russia is not threat for Europe

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said he had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin about his possible reaction to the European Union using the frozen Russian assets. Orbán, on his way to Brussels, said that he sent a letter to the Russian President seeking his response. He asked whether Putin would take into account the position of the individual member states. The matter of frozen Russian assets as a "reparations loan" to Ukraine will be discussed in the upcoming EU summit.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Hungary has respected loyal cooperation on frozen Russian assets. The EU responded by stripping Hungary of its rights. This abandons the principle of loyal cooperation in the sanctions debate and sets a dangerous precedent. Unacceptable! <a href="https://t.co/6NJWMnIqMK">pic.twitter.com/6NJWMnIqMK</a>&mdash; Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) <a href="https://twitter.com/PM_ViktorOrban/status/2001049973178155351?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Orbán has supposedly received a response which indicated that Russia will not take the "reparations loan" of Russian assets to Ukraine easily, and there would be a “strong reaction” from Russia. It would take into account the positions of individual member states. Orbán has also reiterated that even if the EU nations vote for using the frozen Russian funds, Hungary will not support the decision. He also cribbed about the European Union stripping “Hungary of its rights” and violating the principle of &nbsp;"loyal cooperation".Viktor Orbán's Hungary and the European Union have been at a crossroads since 2018, with discussion about suspending Hungary’s EU membership rights due to serious and continuous violations of European values. In November 2025, the European Union voted in favour of sanctions on Hungary for descending into an electoral autocracy, despite the parliament being dominated by the right and the Patriots for Europe, funded by Viktor Orbán himself. Orbán did not take the decision well, and he does "not consider the principles of loyal cooperation to be binding" in the sanctions debate.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán says he contacted Vladimir Putin to ask how Russia might respond if the EU uses frozen Russian assets for Ukraine reparations. Hungary opposes the move, warning it could escalate tensions, as EU leaders prepare to debate the asset decision. 

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said he had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin about his possible reaction to the European Union using the frozen Russian assets. Orbán, on his way to Brussels, said that he sent a letter to the Russian President seeking his response. He asked whether Putin would take into account the position of the individual member states. The matter of frozen Russian assets as a "reparations loan" to Ukraine will be discussed in the upcoming EU summit.

Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán says he contacted Vladimir Putin to ask how Russia might respond if the EU uses frozen Russian assets for Ukraine reparations. Hungary opposes the move, warning it could escalate tensions, as EU leaders prepare to debate the asset decision.&nbsp;

Orbán asked Putin about punishing Hungary over EU using Russian frozen asset

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has freed 123 prisoners, including opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava and Nobel Peace Prize-winning rights activist Ales Bialiatski, rights groups and state media reported on Saturday (Dec 13), after a US envoy earlier stated that Washington was lifting sanctions on Belarusian potassium.&nbsp;"The head of state has decided to pardon 123 citizens of various countries," the Belarusian state news agency Belta said, as reported by AFP.&nbsp;&nbsp;Novel laureate Bialiatski's Viasna celebrated the release of their leader after 1,613 days "Ales Bialiatski is free!" the Viasna rights group said in a post on social media, adding he was being deported to Lithuania after 1,613 days in prison.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-launches-hypersonic-missile-strikes-parts-of-ukraine-plunge-into-darkness-trump-moscow-steve-witkoff-ukraine-peace-plan-putin-modi-1765632526648">Russia launches hypersonic missile strikes; parts of Ukraine plunge into darkness</a>&nbsp;The release of prisoners comes following a deal reached between Belarus, a key ally of Russian President Putin, and the United States for lifting the sanctions imposed on its potash industry by the Biden Administration, citing the human rights abuses and for letting Moscow use its territory against Ukraine in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war.&nbsp;Belarus has faced Western sanctions for years, citing the poor human rights record of President Lukashenko, who has ruled the country for more than 30 years.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailand-says-4-soldiers-killed-vows-to-continue-military-action-against-cambodia-1765620489233">Thailand says 4 soldiers killed, vows to continue military action against Cambodia</a>&nbsp;However, the United States signalled a thaw in ties after it lifted sanctions on the Potash industry, and the US envoy to Belarus said that normalising the relationship between Washington and Minsk is a priority.&nbsp;“We’re lifting sanctions, releasing prisoners. We’re constantly talking to each other,” he said, according to Belta.&nbsp;

The prisoners included Nobel Peace Prize–winning rights activist Ales Bialiatski, who spent 1,613 days in a Belarusian prison.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has freed 123 prisoners, including opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava and Nobel Peace Prize-winning rights activist Ales Bialiatski, rights groups and state media reported on Saturday (Dec 13), after a US envoy earlier stated that Washington was lifting sanctions on Belarusian potassium. "The head of state has decided to pardon 123 citizens of various countries," the Belarusian state news agency Belta said, as reported by AFP. Novel laureate Bialiatski's Viasna celebrated the release of their leader after 1,613 days "Ales Bialiatski is free!" the Viasna rights group said in a post on social media, adding he was being deported to Lithuania after 1,613 days in prison. Also Read: Russia launches hypersonic missile strikes; parts of Ukraine plunge into darkness The release of prisoners comes following a deal reached between Belarus, a key ally of Russian President Putin, and the United States for lifting the sanctions imposed on its potash industry by the Biden Administration, citing the human rights abuses and for letting Moscow use its territory against Ukraine in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war. Belarus has faced Western sanctions for years, citing the poor human rights record of President Lukashenko, who has ruled the country for more than 30 years. Also Read: Thailand says 4 soldiers killed, vows to continue military action against Cambodia However, the United States signalled a thaw in ties after it lifted sanctions on the Potash industry, and the US envoy to Belarus said that normalising the relationship between Washington and Minsk is a priority. “We’re lifting sanctions, releasing prisoners. We’re constantly talking to each other,” he said, according to Belta.

The prisoners included Nobel Peace Prize–winning rights activist Ales Bialiatski, who spent 1,613 days in a Belarusian prison.

Belarus frees 123 prisoners, including Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski, as US lifts sanctions on its potash industry

Russia on Saturday (Dec 13) launched hypersonic missile strikes on Ukraine targeting key industrial and energy installations, in what Moscow called in response to a Ukrainian attack on "civilian targets" in Russia. The attacks come at a time when US President Donald Trump's special envoy is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Germany for more talks on ending the war.&nbsp;Moscow's defence ministry said it carried out a "massive strike" on Ukraine's army and energy facilities using weapons including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles as a "response to Ukraine's terrorist attacks on civilian targets in Russia".&nbsp;Confirming the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Russian overnight strike using more than 450 drones and 30 missiles damaged over a dozen civilian facilities across Ukraine, triggering a power outage in seven regions of the country."It is important that everyone now sees what Russia is doing... for this is clearly not about ending the war," Zelensky said on social media, adding, "They still aim to destroy our state and inflict maximum pain on our people."&nbsp;In Russia, regional governor Roman Busargin said two people were killed in Saratov after a drone strike hit a residential building. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/days-after-massive-cancellations-indigo-says-operating-over-2-000-flights-on-dec-13-1765623293043">Days after massive cancellations, IndiGo says operating over 2,000 flights on Dec 13</a>&nbsp;Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy, who has been at the forefront of leading Washington's attempt to achieve a negotiated peace between Russia and Ukraine, will discuss the updated draft of the proposed peace plan in Berlin.&nbsp;Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/parliament-attack-anniversary-pm-modi-lop-rahul-gandhi-parliamentarians-pay-tribute-to-fallen-heroes-1765626015813"> Parliament attack anniversary: PM Modi, LoP Rahul Gandhi, parliamentarians pay tribute to fallen heroes</a>&nbsp;US President Donald Trump had put forward a draft plan to end the war, setting off a series of high-level negotiations. Talks began in Geneva between US, European and Ukrainian officials over post-war security guarantees and territorial issues. Follow-up meetings in Florida brought US envoys and Ukrainian representatives together for marathon sessions to refine the proposal.&nbsp;The Ukrainian president is now set to meet US envoys and European leaders in Berlin before the plan is presented to Russia, although major differences remain unresolved.

The Russian defence ministry said it carried out a massive strike on Ukraine’s military and energy facilities in response to what it called Ukraine’s terrorist attacks on civilian targets in Russia.

Russia on Saturday (Dec 13) launched hypersonic missile strikes on Ukraine targeting key industrial and energy installations, in what Moscow called in response to a Ukrainian attack on "civilian targets" in Russia. The attacks come at a time when US President Donald Trump's special envoy is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Germany for more talks on ending the war. Moscow's defence ministry said it carried out a "massive strike" on Ukraine's army and energy facilities using weapons including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles as a "response to Ukraine's terrorist attacks on civilian targets in Russia". Confirming the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Russian overnight strike using more than 450 drones and 30 missiles damaged over a dozen civilian facilities across Ukraine, triggering a power outage in seven regions of the country. "It is important that everyone now sees what Russia is doing... for this is clearly not about ending the war," Zelensky said on social media, adding, "They still aim to destroy our state and inflict maximum pain on our people." In Russia, regional governor Roman Busargin said two people were killed in Saratov after a drone strike hit a residential building. Also Read: Days after massive cancellations, IndiGo says operating over 2,000 flights on Dec 13 Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy, who has been at the forefront of leading Washington's attempt to achieve a negotiated peace between Russia and Ukraine, will discuss the updated draft of the proposed peace plan in Berlin. Also Read: Parliament attack anniversary: PM Modi, LoP Rahul Gandhi, parliamentarians pay tribute to fallen heroes US President Donald Trump had put forward a draft plan to end the war, setting off a series of high-level negotiations. Talks began in Geneva between US, European and Ukrainian officials over post-war security guarantees and territorial issues. Follow-up meetings in Florida brought US envoys and Ukrainian representatives together for marathon sessions to refine the proposal. The Ukrainian president is now set to meet US envoys and European leaders in Berlin before the plan is presented to Russia, although major differences remain unresolved.

The Russian defence ministry said it carried out a massive strike on Ukraine’s military and energy facilities in response to what it called Ukraine’s terrorist attacks on civilian targets in Russia.

Russia launches hypersonic missile strikes; parts of Ukraine plunge into darkness

China on Monday (Dec 08) welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit to India, describing it as a positive step in the direction of cooperation among key Global South economies. Beijing said that stronger trilateral ties are beneficial to regional and global peace and stability, apart from advancing their own national interests. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that fostering "sound relations" among the three nations advances their own national interests and supports “regional and global peace, security, stability and prosperity."&nbsp;“China, Russia and India are emerging economies and important members of the Global South,” Guo said during a press briefing, in his first official reaction after Putin's high-profile visit to New Delhi last week and his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/don-t-selectively-target-indians-mea-seeks-assurance-from-china-after-shanghai-airport-row-india-china-border-china-beijing-sanghai-1765208125798">Don’t 'selectively target' Indians: MEA seeks assurance from China after Shanghai airport row</a>&nbsp;Putin's first visit to India after the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022 was closely observed by Beijing, owing to its strategic ties with Moscow. Responding to a query about the Russian President's remark, where he described both India and China as "our closet friends," Guo said China is ready to work with both to foster strong bilateral relations.&nbsp;On the issue of India-China relations, Guo declared China wants to promote sustained and strong ties with New Delhi with a long-term perspective. The bilateral ties between both countries worsened following a violent confrontation in Eastern Ladakh in 2020 until last year, and are on a path of normalisation amid ongoing geopolitical shifts.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-tariff-woes-us-president-to-announce-12-bn-relief-package-for-farmers-china-india-trade-war-trump-tariffs-tariff-war-tariff-woes-1765198553979">Trump tariff woes: US President to announce $12 bn relief package for farmers</a><h2>Shifting geopolitical landscape&nbsp;</h2>Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India comes amid a shifting geopolitical landscape, with India and China locked in a tense trade standoff with the United States after President Trump imposed baseline tariffs on most nations seeking fresh and “fair” bilateral trade agreements. India, despite its close partnership with Washington, was hit with an additional 25 per cent tariff on its purchase of Russian oil, on top of the 25 per cent baseline tariffs.&nbsp;&nbsp;Moscow continues to face sanctions from Western countries, including the United States, for its nearly four-year war with Ukraine. However, negotiations are reportedly underway between Kyiv and Washington to bring an end to the conflict. &nbsp;

China said that fostering "sound relations" among the three nations advances their own national interests and supports “regional and global peace, security, stability and prosperity."

China on Monday (Dec 08) welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit to India, describing it as a positive step in the direction of cooperation among key Global South economies. Beijing said that stronger trilateral ties are beneficial to regional and global peace and stability, apart from advancing their own national interests. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that fostering "sound relations" among the three nations advances their own national interests and supports “regional and global peace, security, stability and prosperity." “China, Russia and India are emerging economies and important members of the Global South,” Guo said during a press briefing, in his first official reaction after Putin's high-profile visit to New Delhi last week and his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Also Read: Don’t 'selectively target' Indians: MEA seeks assurance from China after Shanghai airport row Putin's first visit to India after the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022 was closely observed by Beijing, owing to its strategic ties with Moscow. Responding to a query about the Russian President's remark, where he described both India and China as "our closet friends," Guo said China is ready to work with both to foster strong bilateral relations. On the issue of India-China relations, Guo declared China wants to promote sustained and strong ties with New Delhi with a long-term perspective. The bilateral ties between both countries worsened following a violent confrontation in Eastern Ladakh in 2020 until last year, and are on a path of normalisation amid ongoing geopolitical shifts. Also Read: Trump tariff woes: US President to announce $12 bn relief package for farmers Shifting geopolitical landscape Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India comes amid a shifting geopolitical landscape, with India and China locked in a tense trade standoff with the United States after President Trump imposed baseline tariffs on most nations seeking fresh and “fair” bilateral trade agreements. India, despite its close partnership with Washington, was hit with an additional 25 per cent tariff on its purchase of Russian oil, on top of the 25 per cent baseline tariffs. Moscow continues to face sanctions from Western countries, including the United States, for its nearly four-year war with Ukraine. However, negotiations are reportedly underway between Kyiv and Washington to bring an end to the conflict.

China said that fostering "sound relations" among the three nations advances their own national interests and supports “regional and global peace, security, stability and prosperity."

China, India and Russia should work together: Beijing welcomes Putin–Modi meet in Delhi

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European allies are prepared to meet in London on Monday, a day after President Donald Trump criticised him for reportedly not accepting Washington's proposal to end the war with Russia. The talks in London follow several days of negotiations between Ukrainian and US officials in Miami, which concluded on Saturday without a breakthrough, though Zelensky agreed to continue discussions.&nbsp;According to a report by AFP, territory was still "the most problematic issue" in the talks on Monday to resolve the almost four-year-long Russia-Ukraine war. Zelensky is expected to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as the German chancellor and French president. Meanwhile, Starmer said he would not pressure Zelensky into accepting the Trump administration’s plan.&nbsp;"I won't be putting pressure on the president," Starmer told ITV News. "The most important thing is to ensure that if there is a cessation of hostilities, and I hope there is, it has to be just and it has to be lasting, which is what we will be focused on this afternoon," he added.<h3>Russian attack in Ukraine injured at least nine people&nbsp;</h3>Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is likely to meet her US counterpart Marco Rubio on Monday. In addition, Moscow has continued to strike its neighbour, injuring at least nine individuals overnight Sunday to Monday, Ukrainian officials confirmed.&nbsp;Zelensky stated that he joined his negotiators for a "very substantive and constructive" response with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner during the Miami discussions. "Ukraine is committed to continuing to work honestly with the American side to bring about real peace," Zelensky said on Telegram. He added that the parties agreed "on the next steps and the format of the talks with America".&nbsp;But Donald Trump hit out at Zelensky on Sunday, and said, "I have to say that I'm a little bit disappointed that President Zelensky hasn't yet read the proposal, that was as of a few hours ago."&nbsp;Last week, Kushner and Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin. During the meeting, Moscow rejected parts of the US proposal. In response, French President Emmanuel Macron criticised Putin before Monday's talks, calling it Russia's "escalatory path".&nbsp;"We will continue these efforts with the Americans to provide Ukraine with security guarantees, without which no robust and lasting peace will be possible," he wrote on X. "We must continue to exert pressure on Russia to compel it to choose peace."&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The talks in London follow several days of negotiations between Ukrainian and US officials in Miami, which concluded on Saturday without a breakthrough, though Zelensky agreed to continue discussions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European allies are prepared to meet in London on Monday, a day after President Donald Trump criticised him for reportedly not accepting Washington's proposal to end the war with Russia. The talks in London follow several days of negotiations between Ukrainian and US officials in Miami, which concluded on Saturday without a breakthrough, though Zelensky agreed to continue discussions. According to a report by AFP, territory was still "the most problematic issue" in the talks on Monday to resolve the almost four-year-long Russia-Ukraine war. Zelensky is expected to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as the German chancellor and French president. Meanwhile, Starmer said he would not pressure Zelensky into accepting the Trump administration’s plan. "I won't be putting pressure on the president," Starmer told ITV News. "The most important thing is to ensure that if there is a cessation of hostilities, and I hope there is, it has to be just and it has to be lasting, which is what we will be focused on this afternoon," he added. Russian attack in Ukraine injured at least nine people Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is likely to meet her US counterpart Marco Rubio on Monday. In addition, Moscow has continued to strike its neighbour, injuring at least nine individuals overnight Sunday to Monday, Ukrainian officials confirmed. Zelensky stated that he joined his negotiators for a "very substantive and constructive" response with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner during the Miami discussions. "Ukraine is committed to continuing to work honestly with the American side to bring about real peace," Zelensky said on Telegram. He added that the parties agreed "on the next steps and the format of the talks with America". But Donald Trump hit out at Zelensky on Sunday, and said, "I have to say that I'm a little bit disappointed that President Zelensky hasn't yet read the proposal, that was as of a few hours ago." Last week, Kushner and Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin. During the meeting, Moscow rejected parts of the US proposal. In response, French President Emmanuel Macron criticised Putin before Monday's talks, calling it Russia's "escalatory path". "We will continue these efforts with the Americans to provide Ukraine with security guarantees, without which no robust and lasting peace will be possible," he wrote on X. "We must continue to exert pressure on Russia to compel it to choose peace."

The talks in London follow several days of negotiations between Ukrainian and US officials in Miami, which concluded on Saturday without a breakthrough, though Zelensky agreed to continue discussions.

Zelensky, EU leaders to meet in London after Trump criticises Ukraine over Russia-war peace plan

An unusually cordial summit meeting between Indian President and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin has sent an unmistakable message to US President Donald Trump: Your global influence has limits.After two days of talks in New Delhi and a slew of agreements, one can draw the conclusion that the tight relations between Russia and India, built up over decades, remain unaffected despite US and European efforts to isolate Russia and despite widespread condemnation of its war on Ukraine.Uncharacteristically for the verbose American president, Trump refrained from immediate comment on two days of a summit during which Modi and Putin portrayed the long-standing Indian-Russian relationship as an example of stability at a time of geopolitical turbulence.Those ties have been a source of deep annoyance for Trump, who fumed in a social media post in September that it “looks like we have lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China” and sharply criticised Indian purchases of Russian oil, which he said lubricated Putin’s war machine.That criticism came after a meeting between Modi, Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. American annoyance with India has not changed since.US, disenchantment with India went beyond the rhetorical: the US hit India with an additional trade tariff of 25 per cent as punishment for the oil purchases, bringing the tariff total to 50 per cent.Modi has shown no sign of giving in to American pressure, and Putin subtly nudged his host to stick to his policy by saying that “Russia is ready for uninterrupted shipments of fuel to India.”These shipments increased dramatically after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 because Russia offered heavy discounts to bypass Western sanctions. India is now the second biggest buyer of Russian crude after China.The summit, largely ignored by the U.S. media, has highlighted Modi’s skill in walking a tricky tightrope between his country’s historic relationship with Russia and growing economic ties with the United States and its vast market for a large array of goods.Indian-Russian ties date back to the Cold War and Delhi’s leadership role in the non-aligned movement of countries that tried to avoid taking sides between the Soviet Union and the United States. As far as defence ties are concerned, India leaned towards the Soviet Union. Russia, its successor, remains India’s main supplier of military hardware.The summit underlined that the cornerstone of Indian foreign policy remains “strategic autonomy”, which withstands external pressures even from an American president who has left no doubt he considers himself the lead player on the increasingly complicated geopolitical order.This view was mocked in public last summer by Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva last summer after Trump imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Brazilian exports. In an interview with CNN, the Brazilian leaders said: “What we cannot have is President Trump forgetting that he was elected to govern the U.S. He was elected not to be the emperor of the world.”In the absence of immediate official comment, one Washington analyst predicted that the display of warmth and friendship at the Delhi summit would cause “heartburn” in the diplomatic and national security communities of the Trump administration.Not least because Modi described relations between the two countries as “steadfast like a pole star.”India and Russia have held annual summits since the year 2000, when they declared a strategic partnership. The meetings alternated between Russia and India, paused after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and resumed in 2024 when Modi visited Moscow. No date for the next summit has been set.

Modi has shown no sign of giving in to American pressure, and Putin subtly nudged his host to stick to his policy by saying that “Russia is ready for uninterrupted shipments of fuel to India.”

An unusually cordial summit meeting between Indian President and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin has sent an unmistakable message to US President Donald Trump: Your global influence has limits. After two days of talks in New Delhi and a slew of agreements, one can draw the conclusion that the tight relations between Russia and India, built up over decades, remain unaffected despite US and European efforts to isolate Russia and despite widespread condemnation of its war on Ukraine. Uncharacteristically for the verbose American president, Trump refrained from immediate comment on two days of a summit during which Modi and Putin portrayed the long-standing Indian-Russian relationship as an example of stability at a time of geopolitical turbulence. Those ties have been a source of deep annoyance for Trump, who fumed in a social media post in September that it “looks like we have lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China” and sharply criticised Indian purchases of Russian oil, which he said lubricated Putin’s war machine. That criticism came after a meeting between Modi, Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. American annoyance with India has not changed since. US, disenchantment with India went beyond the rhetorical: the US hit India with an additional trade tariff of 25 per cent as punishment for the oil purchases, bringing the tariff total to 50 per cent. Modi has shown no sign of giving in to American pressure, and Putin subtly nudged his host to stick to his policy by saying that “Russia is ready for uninterrupted shipments of fuel to India.” These shipments increased dramatically after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 because Russia offered heavy discounts to bypass Western sanctions. India is now the second biggest buyer of Russian crude after China. The summit, largely ignored by the U.S. media, has highlighted Modi’s skill in walking a tricky tightrope between his country’s historic relationship with Russia and growing economic ties with the United States and its vast market for a large array of goods. Indian-Russian ties date back to the Cold War and Delhi’s leadership role in the non-aligned movement of countries that tried to avoid taking sides between the Soviet Union and the United States. As far as defence ties are concerned, India leaned towards the Soviet Union. Russia, its successor, remains India’s main supplier of military hardware. The summit underlined that the cornerstone of Indian foreign policy remains “strategic autonomy”, which withstands external pressures even from an American president who has left no doubt he considers himself the lead player on the increasingly complicated geopolitical order. This view was mocked in public last summer by Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva last summer after Trump imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Brazilian exports. In an interview with CNN, the Brazilian leaders said: “What we cannot have is President Trump forgetting that he was elected to govern the U.S. He was elected not to be the emperor of the world.” In the absence of immediate official comment, one Washington analyst predicted that the display of warmth and friendship at the Delhi summit would cause “heartburn” in the diplomatic and national security communities of the Trump administration. Not least because Modi described relations between the two countries as “steadfast like a pole star.” India and Russia have held annual summits since the year 2000, when they declared a strategic partnership. The meetings alternated between Russia and India, paused after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and resumed in 2024 when Modi visited Moscow. No date for the next summit has been set.

Modi has shown no sign of giving in to American pressure, and Putin subtly nudged his host to stick to his policy by saying that “Russia is ready for uninterrupted shipments of fuel to India.”

Putin-Modi summit shows limits of Donald Trump’s global clout

Russia President Vladimir Putin recently acknowledged the Taliban’s authority in Afghanistan, emphasising that the group was making significant strides in tackling terrorism and curbing opium production. In an exclusive interview with India Today, Putin outlined why Russia had officially recognized the Taliban government in Kabul. Putin’s statement challenges Pakistan’s long-held narrative, which accuses the Taliban of supporting terrorist organisations, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Islamabad has also insinuated that the Taliban is a "puppet" regime controlled by India, an accusation New Delhi has denied.&nbsp;Amid this diplomatic clash, Putin’s comments have added weight to the Taliban’s claim of being a stabilising force in Afghanistan. He pointed out, “Every nation faces challenges, and Afghanistan is no exception, especially after decades of internal conflict. However, the Taliban now clearly controls the situation, and that is an undeniable reality.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-russia-summit-2025-from-assam-tea-to-marble-chess-set-here-s-what-all-pm-modi-gifted-russia-president-vladimir-putin-check-the-complete-list-1764947216236">India-Russia Summit 2025: From Assam tea to marble chess set — Here's what all PM Modi gifted Russia President&nbsp;Vladimir&nbsp;Putin. Check the complete list</a>&nbsp;Putin further asserted that the Taliban has made significant progress in combatting various terrorist groups, including ISIS-Khorasan and others. “We are fully aware of the steps taken by the Afghan government against terrorism,” he noted. Russia’s diplomatic ties with the Taliban have grown stronger, with Moscow being the first major nation to formally recognise the Taliban-led government. In the interview, Putin acknowledged the Taliban's efforts in reducing the production of opium and addressing drug-related threats. “The Taliban government is actively working to combat drug trafficking within its borders,” he remarked.&nbsp;The Russian president's endorsement also contradicted Pakistan's accusations that the Taliban is harboring and arming the TTP, which has been responsible for a rising number of attacks inside Pakistan since 2022. By praising the Taliban’s counter-terrorism measures and their focus on ISIS-K, Putin has implicitly sided with Kabul's narrative, distancing Russia from Pakistan’s perspective. This comes at a time of deteriorating relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, marked by ongoing cross-border military exchanges and Pakistan’s controversial expulsion of over 500,000 Afghan refugees.

Russia President Vladimir Putin defends Taliban's counter-terrorism efforts, challenges Pakistan’s narrative

Russia President Vladimir Putin recently acknowledged the Taliban’s authority in Afghanistan, emphasising that the group was making significant strides in tackling terrorism and curbing opium production. In an exclusive interview with India Today, Putin outlined why Russia had officially recognized the Taliban government in Kabul. Putin’s statement challenges Pakistan’s long-held narrative, which accuses the Taliban of supporting terrorist organisations, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Islamabad has also insinuated that the Taliban is a "puppet" regime controlled by India, an accusation New Delhi has denied. Amid this diplomatic clash, Putin’s comments have added weight to the Taliban’s claim of being a stabilising force in Afghanistan. He pointed out, “Every nation faces challenges, and Afghanistan is no exception, especially after decades of internal conflict. However, the Taliban now clearly controls the situation, and that is an undeniable reality.” Also Read: India-Russia Summit 2025: From Assam tea to marble chess set — Here's what all PM Modi gifted Russia President Vladimir Putin. Check the complete list Putin further asserted that the Taliban has made significant progress in combatting various terrorist groups, including ISIS-Khorasan and others. “We are fully aware of the steps taken by the Afghan government against terrorism,” he noted. Russia’s diplomatic ties with the Taliban have grown stronger, with Moscow being the first major nation to formally recognise the Taliban-led government. In the interview, Putin acknowledged the Taliban's efforts in reducing the production of opium and addressing drug-related threats. “The Taliban government is actively working to combat drug trafficking within its borders,” he remarked. The Russian president's endorsement also contradicted Pakistan's accusations that the Taliban is harboring and arming the TTP, which has been responsible for a rising number of attacks inside Pakistan since 2022. By praising the Taliban’s counter-terrorism measures and their focus on ISIS-K, Putin has implicitly sided with Kabul's narrative, distancing Russia from Pakistan’s perspective. This comes at a time of deteriorating relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, marked by ongoing cross-border military exchanges and Pakistan’s controversial expulsion of over 500,000 Afghan refugees.

Putin praises Taliban's counter-terrorism efforts, challenges Pakistan's claims, and stresses that Russia's growing ties with Afghanistan's new government

During his visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a thoughtfully curated selection of gifts to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Each item symbolising India’s rich cultural heritage, craftsmanship, and longstanding friendship with Russia. The collection mixed tradition, artistry, and meaningful symbolism, reflecting the depth of ties between the two countries.<h2>Here is the complete list of gifts presented by PM Modi to Putin</h2><h3>1. Fine Assam Black Tea</h3>Among the gifts was the renowned Assam Black Tea, cultivated in the fertile plains along the Brahmaputra River. Known for its robust malty flavour and bright liquor, this tea is produced from the indigenous assamica variety and processed using age-old methods. Awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2007, it represents the region’s unique climate, soil, and craftsmanship. Beyond its legacy, Assam Tea is cherished for its potential health benefits, making each cup both comforting and rejuvenating.<h3>2. Ornate Silver Tea Set</h3>Complementing the tea was an exquisite Murshidabad silver tea set from West Bengal. Crafted with delicate engravings and intricate motifs, the set showcases the exceptional artistry of the region’s silversmiths. In both India and Russia, tea is more than a beverage, it is a ritual symbolising warmth, hospitality, and connection. This gift celebrates the shared cultural importance of tea and reflects the affection and friendship between the two countries.<h3>3. Handcrafted Silver Horse</h3>Prime Minister Modi also presented a handcrafted silver horse from Maharashtra, adorned with fine detailing that highlights India’s celebrated metalwork traditions. Horses, symbolizing dignity, strength, and valour, hold significance in both Indian and Russian cultures. The forward-moving stance of the sculpture metaphorically represents the enduring and progressive partnership between the two countries.<h3>4. Marble Chess Set from Agra</h3>Another remarkable gift was a handcrafted marble chess set from Agra, blending artistic finesse with functional beauty. Drawing from the region’s famed stone inlay craftsmanship and part of the ODOP (One District One Product) initiative, the set features ornate inlaid motifs and contrasting stone chess pieces. With its chequered marble board framed by floral designs and its use of marble, wood, and semi-precious stones, the set stands out as both a luxurious décor piece and a symbol of intellectual engagement.<h3>5. Kashmiri Saffron</h3>Known as Kong or Zaffran, Kashmiri Saffron is one of India’s most treasured agricultural products. Cultivated in the high-altitude fields of Kashmir, it is prized for its deep colour, rich aroma, and exceptional flavour. Protected by GI and recognised under ODOP, Kashmiri Saffron reflects centuries of tradition and supports the livelihood of local farmers. Revered as “red gold,” it carries not only culinary and cultural significance but also renowned health benefits.<h3>6. Srimad Bhagavad Gita (Russian Translation)</h3>Rounding off the selection was the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, presented in Russian. As part of the Mahabharata, the Gita offers timeless teachings on duty, self-realisation, ethical living, and inner peace through the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna. The Russian translation symbolizes spiritual outreach and makes the ancient wisdom accessible to a global audience, reinforcing the cultural bonds shared by India and Russia.

PM Modi gifted Russia President Vladimir Putin a collection of Indian treasures, including Assam tea, silver tea set, Kashmiri saffron, and a marble chess set, reflecting cultural ties

During his visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a thoughtfully curated selection of gifts to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Each item symbolising India’s rich cultural heritage, craftsmanship, and longstanding friendship with Russia. The collection mixed tradition, artistry, and meaningful symbolism, reflecting the depth of ties between the two countries. Here is the complete list of gifts presented by PM Modi to Putin 1. Fine Assam Black Tea Among the gifts was the renowned Assam Black Tea, cultivated in the fertile plains along the Brahmaputra River. Known for its robust malty flavour and bright liquor, this tea is produced from the indigenous assamica variety and processed using age-old methods. Awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2007, it represents the region’s unique climate, soil, and craftsmanship. Beyond its legacy, Assam Tea is cherished for its potential health benefits, making each cup both comforting and rejuvenating. 2. Ornate Silver Tea Set Complementing the tea was an exquisite Murshidabad silver tea set from West Bengal. Crafted with delicate engravings and intricate motifs, the set showcases the exceptional artistry of the region’s silversmiths. In both India and Russia, tea is more than a beverage, it is a ritual symbolising warmth, hospitality, and connection. This gift celebrates the shared cultural importance of tea and reflects the affection and friendship between the two countries. 3. Handcrafted Silver Horse Prime Minister Modi also presented a handcrafted silver horse from Maharashtra, adorned with fine detailing that highlights India’s celebrated metalwork traditions. Horses, symbolizing dignity, strength, and valour, hold significance in both Indian and Russian cultures. The forward-moving stance of the sculpture metaphorically represents the enduring and progressive partnership between the two countries. 4. Marble Chess Set from Agra Another remarkable gift was a handcrafted marble chess set from Agra, blending artistic finesse with functional beauty. Drawing from the region’s famed stone inlay craftsmanship and part of the ODOP (One District One Product) initiative, the set features ornate inlaid motifs and contrasting stone chess pieces. With its chequered marble board framed by floral designs and its use of marble, wood, and semi-precious stones, the set stands out as both a luxurious décor piece and a symbol of intellectual engagement. 5. Kashmiri Saffron Known as Kong or Zaffran, Kashmiri Saffron is one of India’s most treasured agricultural products. Cultivated in the high-altitude fields of Kashmir, it is prized for its deep colour, rich aroma, and exceptional flavour. Protected by GI and recognised under ODOP, Kashmiri Saffron reflects centuries of tradition and supports the livelihood of local farmers. Revered as “red gold,” it carries not only culinary and cultural significance but also renowned health benefits. 6. Srimad Bhagavad Gita (Russian Translation) Rounding off the selection was the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, presented in Russian. As part of the Mahabharata, the Gita offers timeless teachings on duty, self-realisation, ethical living, and inner peace through the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna. The Russian translation symbolizes spiritual outreach and makes the ancient wisdom accessible to a global audience, reinforcing the cultural bonds shared by India and Russia.

PM Modi gifted Russia President Vladimir Putin a collection of Indian treasures, including Assam tea, silver tea set, Kashmiri saffron, and a marble chess set, reflecting cultural ties

India-Russia Summit 2025: From Assam tea to marble chess set — Here's what all PM Modi gifted Russia President Vladimir Putin. Check the complete list

The 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, held on December 4-5, 2025, in New Delhi, marked a significant moment in strengthening the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ between India and Russia. The joint statement issued after the summit highlighted the enduring cooperation across various sectors, underscoring the resilience of this time-tested relationship. Here are the key takeaways from the summit:<h2>Strengthening the strategic partnership</h2>The leaders of India and Russia reaffirmed their commitment to a strong, multi-dimensional partnership, rooted in mutual respect and trust. This year marks 25 years since the Declaration on Strategic Partnership was signed, and both sides agreed to make every effort to unlock the full potential of their relationship. The two countries emphasised their role as major global powers, working together to promote peace and stability, based on the principles of equality and indivisible security.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/putin-india-visit-joint-statement-between-india-russia-see-full-text-here-1764939638416">Putin India visit: Joint statement between India-Russia. See full text here</a><h2>Expanding trade and economic cooperation</h2>A major focus of the summit was expanding economic cooperation, with both sides setting an ambitious goal of reaching $100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. The leaders highlighted the launch of the Programme 2030, a framework to enhance economic ties, particularly in advanced high-tech industries, energy, and trade with the Eurasian Economic Union. Both sides also discussed initiatives to ease trade barriers, improve logistics, and strengthen financial cooperation, including the use of national currencies for transactions.<h2>Advancing energy and defense cooperation</h2>Energy and defense remain pillars of the India-Russia partnership. The summit saw further collaboration in sectors like oil, gas, nuclear energy, and defense technology. Both sides discussed joint ventures in the energy sector, including long-term supply of fertilizers and oil, as well as technological cooperation in nuclear energy. On defense, India and Russia committed to expanding joint research, development, and manufacturing of advanced defense technologies, in line with India’s “Make-in-India” initiative.<h2>Cooperation on regional and global issues</h2>In terms of international diplomacy, both India and Russia agreed to continue their strong cooperation in multilateral platforms like the UN, G20, BRICS, and SCO. The leaders emphasised their commitment to reforming the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary global realities and reiterated support for India’s permanent membership. On regional issues, the two countries expressed their unified stance on counter-terrorism, global climate change, and the security situation in Afghanistan and the Middle East.<h2>Focus on science, technology, and cultural exchange</h2>India and Russia agreed to ramp up cooperation in science, technology, and education. Both sides expressed interest in collaborative research, especially in emerging fields like critical minerals, AI, and digital technologies. Cultural exchanges were also a key part of the discussions, with both nations looking to expand bilateral ties through joint film productions, art festivals, and educational linkages.

India-Russia Summit 2025: Here are the key takeaways from the joint statement between two countries

The 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, held on December 4-5, 2025, in New Delhi, marked a significant moment in strengthening the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ between India and Russia. The joint statement issued after the summit highlighted the enduring cooperation across various sectors, underscoring the resilience of this time-tested relationship. Here are the key takeaways from the summit: Strengthening the strategic partnership The leaders of India and Russia reaffirmed their commitment to a strong, multi-dimensional partnership, rooted in mutual respect and trust. This year marks 25 years since the Declaration on Strategic Partnership was signed, and both sides agreed to make every effort to unlock the full potential of their relationship. The two countries emphasised their role as major global powers, working together to promote peace and stability, based on the principles of equality and indivisible security. Also Read: Putin India visit: Joint statement between India-Russia. See full text here Expanding trade and economic cooperation A major focus of the summit was expanding economic cooperation, with both sides setting an ambitious goal of reaching $100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. The leaders highlighted the launch of the Programme 2030, a framework to enhance economic ties, particularly in advanced high-tech industries, energy, and trade with the Eurasian Economic Union. Both sides also discussed initiatives to ease trade barriers, improve logistics, and strengthen financial cooperation, including the use of national currencies for transactions. Advancing energy and defense cooperation Energy and defense remain pillars of the India-Russia partnership. The summit saw further collaboration in sectors like oil, gas, nuclear energy, and defense technology. Both sides discussed joint ventures in the energy sector, including long-term supply of fertilizers and oil, as well as technological cooperation in nuclear energy. On defense, India and Russia committed to expanding joint research, development, and manufacturing of advanced defense technologies, in line with India’s “Make-in-India” initiative. Cooperation on regional and global issues In terms of international diplomacy, both India and Russia agreed to continue their strong cooperation in multilateral platforms like the UN, G20, BRICS, and SCO. The leaders emphasised their commitment to reforming the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary global realities and reiterated support for India’s permanent membership. On regional issues, the two countries expressed their unified stance on counter-terrorism, global climate change, and the security situation in Afghanistan and the Middle East. Focus on science, technology, and cultural exchange India and Russia agreed to ramp up cooperation in science, technology, and education. Both sides expressed interest in collaborative research, especially in emerging fields like critical minerals, AI, and digital technologies. Cultural exchanges were also a key part of the discussions, with both nations looking to expand bilateral ties through joint film productions, art festivals, and educational linkages.

Russia President Vladimir Putin is in India for his two-day visit for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. WION takes a look at the key takeaways from the joint statement issued after both the leaders met

Putin India visit: Joint statement between India-Russia. See full text here

Russia President Vladimir Putin is in India for his two-day visit, where he held talks with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, looking to strengthen trade, defence and economic sector. Here is the full text of the joint statement between India-Russia

At the India-Russia Business Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasised the importance of strengthening the multi-dimensional economic ties between Russia and India. He said, “I pay particular attention to deepen multi-faceted economic ties between Russia and India. Following today's meetings, we adopted a document to develop India-Russia economic cooperation. Russian businesses are ready to increase purchases from India across a wide range of goods and services. I want to assure the businesses that Russia will support all initiatives.”&nbsp;He also noted the longstanding trade partnership between the two countries, highlighting that, “Indeed, Russia and India are long-time trade partners. Trade volumes are growing at a sustainable pace. And over the past three years, we saw a record increase of up to 80%. As a result, last year, the Russian-Indian trade volume reached $64 billion. There are vast opportunities for further increase of bilateral trade and investment. Russia and India have big consumer markets. Once again, I would like to stress that under the leadership of His Excellency Modi, India is conducting an absolutely independent and sovereign policy and at the same time achieves very good results in the economic field,” he added.&nbsp;In his speech, Putin also praised India’s economic progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, "I would like to stress that under the leadership of PM Modi, India is conducting an independent and sovereign policy and at the same time achieving very good results. Today, the Indian economy is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Thanks to the sound economic policy and landmark initiative by PM Modi as the Make in India program, India is becoming technologically sovereign. India's IT and pharmaceutical sectors take a leading position in the world."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/putin-india-visit-all-the-deals-india-russia-have-signed-see-details-here-1764929395075">Putin India visit: From defence to energy to fuel supplies, here are all the deals India-Russia have signed. See details</a>&nbsp;Putin further underscored that the Russian delegation’s visit was not just focused on energy agreements, but also on expanding ties across a wide range of sectors, saying, "The Russian delegation did not only come to discuss energy issues and sign contracts for the supplies of oil and gas. What we want is the development of our multifaceted relations with India in various fields. Prime Minister stressed on many occasions in our private talks that India has vast and growing opportunities in many fields, but up until now they haven't been used to the extent both parties want to see it. That is precisely the reason why we convened this forum."&nbsp;Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed several key areas of cooperation between the two countries. He highlighted the liberalisation of sectors like defense and space, which have been opened to the private sector, creating new avenues for collaboration. "Defence and space have been opened to the private sector. This has created new opportunities in these sectors. Now we are going to open the door to new possibilities in the civil-nuclear sector as well. This is not just administrative reform, but mindset reform. The only resolve behind these reforms is a developed India," Modi said.&nbsp;On enhancing connectivity, Modi stressed the importance of fully utilising the potential of logistical corridors, particularly the Chennai-Vladivostok corridor, underlining the commitment to advancing projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Northern Sea Route. "I would like to present some ideas for furthering our cooperation. First, in the area of logistics and connectivity, in today's meeting, President Putin and I emphasised realizing the full potential of our connectivity. We are committed to moving forward on the INSTC, or the Northern Sea Route, i.e., the Chennai-Vladivostok Corridor. Progress will be made in this direction soon. This will reduce transit times, lower costs, and open up new markets for businesses. With the power of digital technology, we can connect customs, logistics, and regulatory systems through virtual trade corridors. This will speed up customs clearance, reduce paperwork, and make cargo movement more seamless."&nbsp;Modi also outlined the ambitious target for bilateral trade, setting a goal of surpassing $100 billion by 2030. However, based on the ongoing momentum and the potential he sees, he expressed confidence that the target might be achieved ahead of schedule. “President Putin and I set a goal of exceeding the $100 billion target for bilateral trade by 2030. But from my conversations with President Putin since yesterday, and the potential we see, I don't think we'll have to wait until 2030. We are moving forward with determination to achieve that goal ahead of schedule, and my confidence is growing. Tariff and non-tariff barriers are being reduced. The speed and scale of change we have achieved in India over the past 11 years is unprecedented. Following the principle of reform, perform, and transform, India is rapidly moving towards becoming the world's third-largest economy. Our resolve is stronger than ever, and we are moving forward with great confidence and at a rapid pace towards our goals. Next-generation reforms in GST and reduction in compliance are steps taken to promote ease of doing business.”

Putin India visit: 'India's economy is world's fastest growing economy', says Russia President Vladimir Putin

At the India-Russia Business Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasised the importance of strengthening the multi-dimensional economic ties between Russia and India. He said, “I pay particular attention to deepen multi-faceted economic ties between Russia and India. Following today's meetings, we adopted a document to develop India-Russia economic cooperation. Russian businesses are ready to increase purchases from India across a wide range of goods and services. I want to assure the businesses that Russia will support all initiatives.” He also noted the longstanding trade partnership between the two countries, highlighting that, “Indeed, Russia and India are long-time trade partners. Trade volumes are growing at a sustainable pace. And over the past three years, we saw a record increase of up to 80%. As a result, last year, the Russian-Indian trade volume reached $64 billion. There are vast opportunities for further increase of bilateral trade and investment. Russia and India have big consumer markets. Once again, I would like to stress that under the leadership of His Excellency Modi, India is conducting an absolutely independent and sovereign policy and at the same time achieves very good results in the economic field,” he added. In his speech, Putin also praised India’s economic progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, "I would like to stress that under the leadership of PM Modi, India is conducting an independent and sovereign policy and at the same time achieving very good results. Today, the Indian economy is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Thanks to the sound economic policy and landmark initiative by PM Modi as the Make in India program, India is becoming technologically sovereign. India's IT and pharmaceutical sectors take a leading position in the world." Also Read: Putin India visit: From defence to energy to fuel supplies, here are all the deals India-Russia have signed. See details Putin further underscored that the Russian delegation’s visit was not just focused on energy agreements, but also on expanding ties across a wide range of sectors, saying, "The Russian delegation did not only come to discuss energy issues and sign contracts for the supplies of oil and gas. What we want is the development of our multifaceted relations with India in various fields. Prime Minister stressed on many occasions in our private talks that India has vast and growing opportunities in many fields, but up until now they haven't been used to the extent both parties want to see it. That is precisely the reason why we convened this forum." Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed several key areas of cooperation between the two countries. He highlighted the liberalisation of sectors like defense and space, which have been opened to the private sector, creating new avenues for collaboration. "Defence and space have been opened to the private sector. This has created new opportunities in these sectors. Now we are going to open the door to new possibilities in the civil-nuclear sector as well. This is not just administrative reform, but mindset reform. The only resolve behind these reforms is a developed India," Modi said. On enhancing connectivity, Modi stressed the importance of fully utilising the potential of logistical corridors, particularly the Chennai-Vladivostok corridor, underlining the commitment to advancing projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Northern Sea Route. "I would like to present some ideas for furthering our cooperation. First, in the area of logistics and connectivity, in today's meeting, President Putin and I emphasised realizing the full potential of our connectivity. We are committed to moving forward on the INSTC, or the Northern Sea Route, i.e., the Chennai-Vladivostok Corridor. Progress will be made in this direction soon. This will reduce transit times, lower costs, and open up new markets for businesses. With the power of digital technology, we can connect customs, logistics, and regulatory systems through virtual trade corridors. This will speed up customs clearance, reduce paperwork, and make cargo movement more seamless." Modi also outlined the ambitious target for bilateral trade, setting a goal of surpassing $100 billion by 2030. However, based on the ongoing momentum and the potential he sees, he expressed confidence that the target might be achieved ahead of schedule. “President Putin and I set a goal of exceeding the $100 billion target for bilateral trade by 2030. But from my conversations with President Putin since yesterday, and the potential we see, I don't think we'll have to wait until 2030. We are moving forward with determination to achieve that goal ahead of schedule, and my confidence is growing. Tariff and non-tariff barriers are being reduced. The speed and scale of change we have achieved in India over the past 11 years is unprecedented. Following the principle of reform, perform, and transform, India is rapidly moving towards becoming the world's third-largest economy. Our resolve is stronger than ever, and we are moving forward with great confidence and at a rapid pace towards our goals. Next-generation reforms in GST and reduction in compliance are steps taken to promote ease of doing business.”

Russia President Vladimir Putin is in India for his two-day visit, where he held talks with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, looking to strengthen trade, defence and economic sector

On Friday (December 5), India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russia President Vladimir Putin announced Economic Cooperation Programme aimed at boosting trade and investment between the two countries till 2030. The announcement came during the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit held at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, reflecting the strong bilateral ties that have endured various global challenges over decades.&nbsp;In his remarks, PM Modi stressed on the enduring nature of India-Russia relations, describing them as “steadfast like a pole star.” He expressed that the partnership, based on mutual respect and deep trust, has withstood the test of time and several global shifts. Modi highlighted that the new Economic Cooperation Programme will aim to diversify and balance trade, ensuring its sustainability. Additionally, he showed optimism about the India-Russia Business Forum, scheduled to follow the summit, which will serve as a platform to enhance export opportunities, co-production ventures, and innovation between the two countries.&nbsp;Modi further mentioned that both countries are actively working towards finalising a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union, which will expand economic ties. Reflecting on the historical progression of the partnership, he recalled that 25 years ago, President Putin laid the groundwork for a strategic relationship between India and Russia. Over time, this partnership was elevated to a "special and privileged strategic" status, which has been continually nurtured by Putin.<h2>Here are the key agreements signed during the summit</h2>Several agreements were signed across various sectors, further cementing the bilateral ties between India and Russia. Key highlights include:&nbsp;<ul><li>Energy cooperation: Russia reaffirmed its commitment to providing uninterrupted fuel shipments to support India's growing economy.</li><li>Industrial partnerships: Indian firms inked a deal with Russia’s URALCHEM to set up a urea manufacturing plant in Russia.</li><li>Food safety: India’s FSSAI and Russia’s consumer protection agency formalized agreements to strengthen food safety regulations.</li><li>Healthcare cooperation: Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to enhance collaboration in medical research and healthcare.</li><li>Maritime logistics: An MoU was signed to bolster India-Russia collaboration in port and shipping operations.</li><li>Migration and mobility: Both countries signed agreements to streamline migration and facilitate the movement of people between India and Russia.</li></ul>President Putin also highlighted joint efforts in building new international logistics routes and proposed future cooperation on small modular nuclear reactors and floating nuclear power plants.<h2>Energy and strategic partnership</h2>The energy and strategic partnership remain central to the India-Russia relationship. PM Modi emphasised that energy security plays a vital role in the partnership, especially in the fields of civil nuclear energy and critical minerals. Both leaders acknowledged the importance of these minerals in securing global supply chains and supporting the clean energy sector, high-tech manufacturing, and emerging industries.&nbsp;The two countries also expressed mutual interest in Arctic operations, with India offering training to seafarers for polar conditions, thus opening up employment opportunities and strengthening bilateral cooperation in the region. Both leaders set their sights on increasing annual bilateral trade to $100 billion and highlighted the shift towards settling trade in national currencies, marking a significant step towards deeper economic integration.<h2>Cultural and diplomatic engagements</h2>The summit was preceded by a formal reception for President Putin at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he received a tri-services guard of honour. This was followed by a visit to Rajghat, where Putin paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, further solidifying the cultural and diplomatic ties between the two countries.&nbsp;Prime Minister Modi personally welcomed President Putin at Palam Airport, with a hug, which underscored their strong personal rapport. The two leaders shared a ride to the Prime Minister's residence, where Putin was gifted a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, symbolising the cultural connection between India and Russia.&nbsp;Throughout the visit, President Putin is set to engage in various activities, including participating in the India-Russia Business Forum, launching the RT channel in India, and attending a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. Putin also thanked PM Modi for India’s role in mediating the ongoing Ukraine conflict, calling the discussions “informative and useful.” Both leaders reiterated their shared commitment to combating terrorism, promoting regional stability, and collaborating on environmental conservation. Additionally, Russia agreed to join India in the International Big Cat Alliance, a further extension of their environmental cooperation.

Putin India visit: All the deals India-Russia have signed. See details here

On Friday (December 5), India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russia President Vladimir Putin announced Economic Cooperation Programme aimed at boosting trade and investment between the two countries till 2030. The announcement came during the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit held at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, reflecting the strong bilateral ties that have endured various global challenges over decades. In his remarks, PM Modi stressed on the enduring nature of India-Russia relations, describing them as “steadfast like a pole star.” He expressed that the partnership, based on mutual respect and deep trust, has withstood the test of time and several global shifts. Modi highlighted that the new Economic Cooperation Programme will aim to diversify and balance trade, ensuring its sustainability. Additionally, he showed optimism about the India-Russia Business Forum, scheduled to follow the summit, which will serve as a platform to enhance export opportunities, co-production ventures, and innovation between the two countries. Modi further mentioned that both countries are actively working towards finalising a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union, which will expand economic ties. Reflecting on the historical progression of the partnership, he recalled that 25 years ago, President Putin laid the groundwork for a strategic relationship between India and Russia. Over time, this partnership was elevated to a "special and privileged strategic" status, which has been continually nurtured by Putin. Here are the key agreements signed during the summit Several agreements were signed across various sectors, further cementing the bilateral ties between India and Russia. Key highlights include: Energy cooperation: Russia reaffirmed its commitment to providing uninterrupted fuel shipments to support India's growing economy. Industrial partnerships: Indian firms inked a deal with Russia’s URALCHEM to set up a urea manufacturing plant in Russia. Food safety: India’s FSSAI and Russia’s consumer protection agency formalized agreements to strengthen food safety regulations. Healthcare cooperation: Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to enhance collaboration in medical research and healthcare. Maritime logistics: An MoU was signed to bolster India-Russia collaboration in port and shipping operations. Migration and mobility: Both countries signed agreements to streamline migration and facilitate the movement of people between India and Russia. President Putin also highlighted joint efforts in building new international logistics routes and proposed future cooperation on small modular nuclear reactors and floating nuclear power plants. Energy and strategic partnership The energy and strategic partnership remain central to the India-Russia relationship. PM Modi emphasised that energy security plays a vital role in the partnership, especially in the fields of civil nuclear energy and critical minerals. Both leaders acknowledged the importance of these minerals in securing global supply chains and supporting the clean energy sector, high-tech manufacturing, and emerging industries. The two countries also expressed mutual interest in Arctic operations, with India offering training to seafarers for polar conditions, thus opening up employment opportunities and strengthening bilateral cooperation in the region. Both leaders set their sights on increasing annual bilateral trade to $100 billion and highlighted the shift towards settling trade in national currencies, marking a significant step towards deeper economic integration. Cultural and diplomatic engagements The summit was preceded by a formal reception for President Putin at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he received a tri-services guard of honour. This was followed by a visit to Rajghat, where Putin paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, further solidifying the cultural and diplomatic ties between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi personally welcomed President Putin at Palam Airport, with a hug, which underscored their strong personal rapport. The two leaders shared a ride to the Prime Minister's residence, where Putin was gifted a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, symbolising the cultural connection between India and Russia. Throughout the visit, President Putin is set to engage in various activities, including participating in the India-Russia Business Forum, launching the RT channel in India, and attending a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. Putin also thanked PM Modi for India’s role in mediating the ongoing Ukraine conflict, calling the discussions “informative and useful.” Both leaders reiterated their shared commitment to combating terrorism, promoting regional stability, and collaborating on environmental conservation. Additionally, Russia agreed to join India in the International Big Cat Alliance, a further extension of their environmental cooperation.

Russia President Vladimir Putin is in India for his two-day visit, where he held talks with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, looking to strengthen trade, defence and economic sector. WION takes a look at some of the key deals that has been signed between the two countries

Putin India visit: From defence to energy to fuel supplies, here are all the deals India-Russia have signed. See details

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed US criticism of India's oil purchases from Russia. Putin argued that if the United States is permitted to buy Russian nuclear fuel for its power plants, India should similarly have the right to purchase Russian energy resources. "As for India's purchase of energy resources from Russia, I would like to note and have already mentioned publicly this once, the United States itself still buys nuclear fuel from us for its own nuclear power plants," Putin was quoted as saying in an interview to India Today. "That is also fuel, Uranium for the reactors operating in the United States. If the US has the right to buy our fuel, why shouldn't India have the same privilege?" Putin added. &nbsp;Putin pointed out that the US imports uranium from Russia for its nuclear reactors, and questioned why India, which relies on energy imports, should be treated differently. &nbsp;This statement comes after US President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on India's purchases of Russian oil, the highest tariff on any country, back in August. Putin, however, refrained from criticising Trump directly, acknowledging that his tariff decisions were made with the belief that they would benefit the US economy.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/putin-india-visit-delhi-traffic-police-issues-advisory-for-commuters-check-affected-routes-diversions-and-which-ones-to-avoid-1764866229068">Putin India visit: Delhi traffic police issues advisory for commuters. Check affected routes, diversions and which ones to avoid</a>&nbsp;He also noted that Russia does not impose such tariffs and emphasised that Russia’s economy remains open to trade. He assured that Russia does not engage in such practices and has no intention of doing so in the future. Speaking on Trump's tariffs, Putin said, “He (Trump) is acting in good faith, I presume.” “He pursues his own policy and he has advisors. His decisions aren't made out of thin air. He has advisors who believe in implementing such tariff policies involving the imposition of additional duties on trade partners ultimately benefits the US economy. He is acting in good faith, I presume,” Putin was quoted as saying.

'If the US has the right to buy our fuel, why shouldn't India': Vladimir Putin defends India's right to buy Russian oil amid US tariffs

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed US criticism of India's oil purchases from Russia. Putin argued that if the United States is permitted to buy Russian nuclear fuel for its power plants, India should similarly have the right to purchase Russian energy resources. "As for India's purchase of energy resources from Russia, I would like to note and have already mentioned publicly this once, the United States itself still buys nuclear fuel from us for its own nuclear power plants," Putin was quoted as saying in an interview to India Today. "That is also fuel, Uranium for the reactors operating in the United States. If the US has the right to buy our fuel, why shouldn't India have the same privilege?" Putin added. Putin pointed out that the US imports uranium from Russia for its nuclear reactors, and questioned why India, which relies on energy imports, should be treated differently. This statement comes after US President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on India's purchases of Russian oil, the highest tariff on any country, back in August. Putin, however, refrained from criticising Trump directly, acknowledging that his tariff decisions were made with the belief that they would benefit the US economy. Also Read: Putin India visit: Delhi traffic police issues advisory for commuters. Check affected routes, diversions and which ones to avoid He also noted that Russia does not impose such tariffs and emphasised that Russia’s economy remains open to trade. He assured that Russia does not engage in such practices and has no intention of doing so in the future. Speaking on Trump's tariffs, Putin said, “He (Trump) is acting in good faith, I presume.” “He pursues his own policy and he has advisors. His decisions aren't made out of thin air. He has advisors who believe in implementing such tariff policies involving the imposition of additional duties on trade partners ultimately benefits the US economy. He is acting in good faith, I presume,” Putin was quoted as saying.

Russia president defends India's right to buy Russian oil, questioning US tariffs on such imports, and reaffirms Russia’s open trade policies without using tariffs

On Friday (December 5), traffic movement will be restricted on key roads in New Delhi due to a special event, as announced by Delhi police. An official advisory highlights the areas where parking and stopping will be prohibited to ensure smooth traffic flow and reduce congestion. The restrictions will be enforced between 10:00am and 11:30am. During this period, vehicles will not be allowed to stop or park on Mother Teresa Crescent, Teen Murti Marg, Akbar Road, MLNP, and Janpath Road. These roads lie within a high-security and high-traffic zone, and authorities anticipate an increase in activity due to the event.&nbsp;Delhi police have warned that any vehicles found parked in these areas will be towed. Offenders who violate parking rules or ignore instructions from traffic officers will face penalties. Towed vehicles will be taken to two designated locations: one near Kali Bari Mandir Marg and the other in front of Bhairon Mandir, where owners can retrieve their vehicles after completing the necessary formalities.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-putin-s-aircraft-was-world-s-most-tracked-plane-en-route-india-1764861903043">Russian President Putin’s aircraft was world’s most-tracked plane en route India</a>&nbsp;While these measures are temporary, police emphasize their importance in maintaining order. The arrangements have been made well in advance to prevent disruptions and to facilitate smooth movement around the event venue without impacting the rest of the district. Motorists are urged to avoid these routes during the restricted hours and to choose alternative roads to avoid delays. Commuters heading to central Delhi are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for their travels.<h2>See the post from Delhi traffic police below</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">TRAFFIC ADVISORY Special traffic arrangements will be in place in New Delhi District on 05.12.2025 due to a special event. 📍RESTRICTIONS AND NO PARKING ZONES: Different stretches including Mother Teresa Crescent, Teen Murti Marg, Akbar Road, MLNP, Janpath Road, Firoz Shah… <a href="https://t.co/ugexGDdCSQ">pic.twitter.com/ugexGDdCSQ</a>&mdash; Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) <a href="https://twitter.com/dtptraffic/status/1996604296763478194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Delhi Traffic Police posted on X. TRAFFIC ADVISORY. Special traffic arrangements will be in place in New Delhi District on 05.12.2025 due to a special event.📍RESTRICTIONS AND NO PARKING ZONES: Different stretches including Mother Teresa Crescent, Teen Murti Marg, Akbar Road, MLNP, Janpath Road, Firoz Shah Road, Sikandra Road, Windsor Place, Mandi House, Mathura Road &amp; Bhairon Marg will remain restricted during: •10:00–11:30 AM •11:00 AM–12:30 PM •03:00–05:00 PM •05:00–09:00 PM📍MAJOR DIVERSIONS: Vande Matram Marg → Simon Boliver Marg • R/A Kautilya Marg • Sunheri Masjid • R/A Rail Bhawan • Janpath Tolstoy Marg • Tolstoy KG Marg • Barakhamba Road, etc.📍ROUTES TO AVOID: Mother Teresa Crescent • Teen Murti Marg • Akbar Road • MLNP • Janpath Road • Firoz Shah Road • Sikandra Road • W-Point • Mathura Road • Bhairon Road📍SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVES: Vande Matram Marg • Yashwant Place • Maulana Azad Road • K. Kamraj Marg • Raisina Road • Rafi Marg • DDU Marg • Asaf Ali Road.📍PUBLIC ADVISORY: Use public transport, follow traffic police directions and plan travel to ISBT/Railway Stations/Airports in advance📍STAY UPDATED THROUGH DELHI TRAFFIC&nbsp;POLICE&nbsp;CHANNEL

Putin India visit: Delhi traffic police issues advisory for commuters. Check affected routes, diversions and which ones to avoid

On Friday (December 5), traffic movement will be restricted on key roads in New Delhi due to a special event, as announced by Delhi police. An official advisory highlights the areas where parking and stopping will be prohibited to ensure smooth traffic flow and reduce congestion. The restrictions will be enforced between 10:00am and 11:30am. During this period, vehicles will not be allowed to stop or park on Mother Teresa Crescent, Teen Murti Marg, Akbar Road, MLNP, and Janpath Road. These roads lie within a high-security and high-traffic zone, and authorities anticipate an increase in activity due to the event. Delhi police have warned that any vehicles found parked in these areas will be towed. Offenders who violate parking rules or ignore instructions from traffic officers will face penalties. Towed vehicles will be taken to two designated locations: one near Kali Bari Mandir Marg and the other in front of Bhairon Mandir, where owners can retrieve their vehicles after completing the necessary formalities. Also Read: Russian President Putin’s aircraft was world’s most-tracked plane en route India While these measures are temporary, police emphasize their importance in maintaining order. The arrangements have been made well in advance to prevent disruptions and to facilitate smooth movement around the event venue without impacting the rest of the district. Motorists are urged to avoid these routes during the restricted hours and to choose alternative roads to avoid delays. Commuters heading to central Delhi are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for their travels. See the post from Delhi traffic police below

Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory for the commuters as Russia President Vladimir Putin landed in New Delhi on Thursday evening (December 4). PM Modi welcomed him as the red carpet was rolled out at Palam airport

Russia President Vladimir Putin landed in New Delhi on Thursday (December 4) evening. India Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed him as the red carpet was rolled out for the Russian president. Both the leaders shook hands, exchanged warm hug and smiled. This is Putin's first visit in four years. Putin's two-day trip includes talks with PM Narendra Modi, a private dinner at the PM's residence, ceremonial welcome, Raj Ghat tribute, and agreements on trade, defence and mobility.&nbsp;Welcoming him, PM Modi tweeted in Russian to welcome Vladimir Putin. Taking it to his X account, Modi wrote, “Я рад приветствовать в Дели своего друга - Президента Путина. С нетерпением жду наших встреч сегодня вечером и завтра. Дружба между Индией и Россией проверена временем; она принесла огромную пользу нашим народам. @KremlinRussia_E.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-modi-putin-hug-as-indian-pm-receives-russian-president-with-a-red-carpet-1764855356119">WATCH | Modi, Putin hug as Indian PM receives Russian president with a red carpet</a><h2>See PM Narendra Modi's tweet in Russian</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Я рад приветствовать в Дели своего друга - Президента Путина. С нетерпением жду наших встреч сегодня вечером и завтра. Дружба между Индией и Россией проверена временем; она принесла огромную пользу нашим народам.<a href="https://twitter.com/KremlinRussia_E?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KremlinRussia_E</a> <a href="https://t.co/yqmhCbZBde">pic.twitter.com/yqmhCbZBde</a>&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1996590132812460454?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

For nearly two years, Vladimir Putin avoided major global gatherings, not because of logistical constraints, but because of the political and legal storm surrounding him. He skipped the G20 Summit in New Delhi. He avoided BRICS and multiple multilateral events where his presence would have been overshadowed by the Ukraine war, sanctions, and the ICC arrest warrant. Against that backdrop, the decision to travel to India is not casual; it is deliberate.&nbsp;This visit is Putin’s biggest political bet after his trips to China and the US. Those two capitals symbolise the polar ends of global power. India represents something else entirely: the swing power in the middle, whose partnership Russia cannot afford to lose. And for India, hosting Putin at this juncture is equally meaningful. It is a quiet assertion of strategic autonomy, a reminder that New Delhi charts its own geopolitical course, and a signal to the world that India will not be pressured into taking sides in the new Cold War.<h2>See the full itinerary of Russia President Vladimir Putin here</h2>Friday: December 5, 2025 - 11:00 hoursCeremonial Reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan Photo Op: AV Media&nbsp;Friday: December 5, 2025 -11:30 hours Wreath Laying at Rajghat Photo Op: AV Media&nbsp;Friday: December 5, 2025 - 11:50 hours Meeting with the Prime Minister at Hyderabad House Photo Op: AV Media&nbsp;Friday: December 5, 2025 -13:50 hours Press Statements at Hyderabad House Photo Op: All Media&nbsp;Friday: December 5, 2025 -15:40 hours Business Event Venue: TBC&nbsp;Friday: December 5, 2025 -19:00 hours Meeting with the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan Photo Op: Official Only&nbsp;Friday: December 5, 2025 -21:00 hours Departure from Delhi

'Pleased to welcome my friend': PM Narendra Modi tweets in Russian as he warmly greets Russian president Vladimir Putin

Russia President Vladimir Putin landed in New Delhi on Thursday (December 4) evening. India Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed him as the red carpet was rolled out for the Russian president. Both the leaders shook hands, exchanged warm hug and smiled. This is Putin's first visit in four years. Putin's two-day trip includes talks with PM Narendra Modi, a private dinner at the PM's residence, ceremonial welcome, Raj Ghat tribute, and agreements on trade, defence and mobility. Welcoming him, PM Modi tweeted in Russian to welcome Vladimir Putin. Taking it to his X account, Modi wrote, “Я рад приветствовать в Дели своего друга - Президента Путина. С нетерпением жду наших встреч сегодня вечером и завтра. Дружба между Индией и Россией проверена временем; она принесла огромную пользу нашим народам. @KremlinRussia_E.” Also Read: WATCH | Modi, Putin hug as Indian PM receives Russian president with a red carpet See PM Narendra Modi's tweet in Russian

Russia President Vladimir Putin landed in New Delhi on Thursday evening (December 4). PM Modi welcomed him as the red carpet was rolled out at Palam airport

'Pleased to welcome my friend': PM Narendra Modi tweets in Russian as he warmly greets Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin opened up about the carpool during the SCO Summit in China's Tianjin. He disclosed that the car ride was not orchestrated deliberately, but it was his idea. Putin discussed this in an interview with India Today, the aurus ride of Modi and Putin became a photographic moment back in September. Prime Minister Modi posted a picture on the Social Media platform X.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">After the proceedings at the SCO Summit venue, President Putin and I travelled together to the venue of our bilateral meeting. Conversations with him are always insightful. <a href="https://t.co/oYZVGDLxtc">pic.twitter.com/oYZVGDLxtc</a>&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1962386368337998092?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"It wasn’t pre-planned. We stepped outside, my car was there, and I suggested that we ride together. It wasn’t some elaborate orchestration; we simply got into the car as two friends," said Putin. Putin added that they long conversation during the ride. The two leaders reportedly talked for 45 minutes inside the vehicle after reaching the hotelFurther reflecting on the India-Russia relationship, Putin said that &nbsp;“90%+ of our trade is already in rubles &amp; rupees…those trying to choke third-country trade only end up hurting themselves. We have solutions - including by the central bank - that allow us to cope with restrictions.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🚨🇮🇳🇷🇺&quot;The car ride with PM Modi [during SCO summit] was my idea. It was a symbol of our friendship&quot; Putin to India Today <a href="https://t.co/BbLZcCBbha">pic.twitter.com/BbLZcCBbha</a>&mdash; Sputnik India (@Sputnik_India) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sputnik_India/status/1996480744194298239?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Russian leader praised Indian economic growth. He said that despite various detractors, “1.5 billion people and a 7.7% growth rate — that’s something the Indian nation can truly take pride in.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Putin tells India Today the Modi carpool during the SCO Summit was spontaneous. He praises India’s growth and highlights 90 per cent + trade in rupees and rubles.

Russian President Vladimir Putin opened up about the carpool during the SCO Summit in China's Tianjin. He disclosed that the car ride was not orchestrated deliberately, but it was his idea. Putin discussed this in an interview with India Today, the aurus ride of Modi and Putin became a photographic moment back in September. Prime Minister Modi posted a picture on the Social Media platform X.

Putin tells India Today the Modi carpool during the SCO Summit was spontaneous. He praises India’s growth and highlights 90 per cent + trade in rupees and rubles.

Putin reveals Modi carpool was his idea during SCO summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made several trips across the world for deep strategic, economic and security ties during his presidency since he came into power on 7 May 2000. Here's is list of the top 10 countries most frequently visited by Vladimir Putin as Russian President.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made several trips across the world for deep strategic, economic and security ties during his presidency since he came into power on 7 May 2000. Here's is list of the top 10 countries most frequently visited by Vladimir Putin as Russian President.

Ukraine, China and more: Top 10 countries Vladimir Putin has visited most as Russian leader

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday (Dec 3) urged Russia to immediately and without conditions return the Ukrainian children "forcibly transferred". Member states voted 91 to 12 in favour of a resolution demanding their immediate and unconditional return. Meanwhile, 57 countries abstained from voting, and Russia rejected the move outright. The resolution "demands that the Russian Federation ensure the immediate, safe and unconditional return of all Ukrainian children who have been forcibly transferred or deported." It also urges an end to the indoctrination of Ukrainian children.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-claims-putin-would-like-to-end-the-ukraine-war-despite-failed-kremlin-talks-1764809592094">Trump claims Putin 'would like to end the Ukraine war' despite failed Kremlin talks</a><h2>Largest state abduction operation in history</h2>The resolution calls on Moscow to "cease, without delay, any further practice of forcible transfer, deportation, separation from families and legal guardians, change of personal status, including through citizenship, adoption or placement in foster families, and indoctrination of Ukrainian children."Ukraine says at least 20,000 children have been taken since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Only about 1,850 have made it back. Mariana Betsa, Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister, told the assembly that Russia is carrying out "the largest state abduction operation in history," and that "there will be no just peace in Ukraine without the immediate unconditional return of our children back home."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-seals-landmark-deal-to-ban-all-russian-gas-imports-withing-three-years-1764742000341">EU seals landmark deal to ban all Russian gas imports within three years</a><h2>Moscow's defence</h2>Russia, meanwhile, insists it moved some children to safety from active combat zones. Its deputy UN envoy, Maria Zabolotskaya, dismissed the resolution as "full of mendacious accusations," arguing that votes in favour only fuel division. "Each vote for the resolution is a support for lies, war, and confrontation. Every voice against is a vote for peace," she insisted.The vote comes as the United States tries to get Russia and Ukraine to agree to US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war.

The UN General Assembly voted 91-12 to demand that Russia return Ukrainian children taken since the 2022 invasion. Kyiv calls it the largest state abduction in history. Moscow denies wrongdoing, claiming it moved children to safety.

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday (Dec 3) urged Russia to immediately and without conditions return the Ukrainian children "forcibly transferred". Member states voted 91 to 12 in favour of a resolution demanding their immediate and unconditional return. Meanwhile, 57 countries abstained from voting, and Russia rejected the move outright. The resolution "demands that the Russian Federation ensure the immediate, safe and unconditional return of all Ukrainian children who have been forcibly transferred or deported." It also urges an end to the indoctrination of Ukrainian children. Also read | Trump claims Putin 'would like to end the Ukraine war' despite failed Kremlin talks Largest state abduction operation in history The resolution calls on Moscow to "cease, without delay, any further practice of forcible transfer, deportation, separation from families and legal guardians, change of personal status, including through citizenship, adoption or placement in foster families, and indoctrination of Ukrainian children." Ukraine says at least 20,000 children have been taken since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Only about 1,850 have made it back. Mariana Betsa, Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister, told the assembly that Russia is carrying out "the largest state abduction operation in history," and that "there will be no just peace in Ukraine without the immediate unconditional return of our children back home." Also read | EU seals landmark deal to ban all Russian gas imports within three years Moscow's defence Russia, meanwhile, insists it moved some children to safety from active combat zones. Its deputy UN envoy, Maria Zabolotskaya, dismissed the resolution as "full of mendacious accusations," arguing that votes in favour only fuel division. "Each vote for the resolution is a support for lies, war, and confrontation. Every voice against is a vote for peace," she insisted. The vote comes as the United States tries to get Russia and Ukraine to agree to US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war.

The UN General Assembly voted 91-12 to demand that Russia return Ukrainian children taken since the 2022 invasion. Kyiv calls it the largest state abduction in history. Moscow denies wrongdoing, claiming it moved children to safety.

'Largest state abduction operation in history': UN demands Russia return thousands of captive Ukrainian children

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of defence, energy, and strategic partnership.

Putin-Modi Meet: PM Modi Set To Host President Putin Under Trump's Tariff Shadow

During the visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin to India beginning Thursday, India and Russia are likely to discuss the development of advanced variants of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, which proved to be the game changer for the Indian defence forces during the four-day Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. A need has been felt in the country for developing the lighter variants of the missiles like the BrahMos NG which can be fitted on all types of fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force with capability to hit targets at over 400 km and longer range versions of the missiles which can engage targets at more than three times of the present capability, defence sources told ANI. The sources said the discussion is likely to take place between the two sides during the Russian President's visit. BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles have proven to be one of the best co-development models for military hardware between India and Russia, who are old and time-tested allies. In the meetings held in the run-up to President Putin's visit, the two sides have been discussing cooperation in the field of hypersonic missiles as well as air-to-air missiles with long ranges. President Putin will be on a two-day visit to India. India is also likely to clear the deal for 280 missiles of the S-400 Sudarshan Chakra air defence missile system, as they were used successfully against Pakistani targets at multiple locations across the length and breadth of that country. India has gone in a big way to equip its Navy and the other two services with BrahMos missiles and has also been able to successfully export the missile to the Philippines, and is likely to achieve success with more sales in the Asian region. The BrahMos, with its supersonic speeds, is very difficult to intercept for the enemy forces and hit its targets without any issues during the conflict with Pakistan in May earlier this year.&nbsp;&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

India has gone in a big way to equip its Navy and the other two services with BrahMos missiles and has also been able to successfully export the missile to the Philippines, and is likely to achieve success with more sales in the Asian region.

During the visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin to India beginning Thursday, India and Russia are likely to discuss the development of advanced variants of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, which proved to be the game changer for the Indian defence forces during the four-day Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. A need has been felt in the country for developing the lighter variants of the missiles like the BrahMos NG which can be fitted on all types of fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force with capability to hit targets at over 400 km and longer range versions of the missiles which can engage targets at more than three times of the present capability, defence sources told ANI. The sources said the discussion is likely to take place between the two sides during the Russian President's visit. BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles have proven to be one of the best co-development models for military hardware between India and Russia, who are old and time-tested allies. In the meetings held in the run-up to President Putin's visit, the two sides have been discussing cooperation in the field of hypersonic missiles as well as air-to-air missiles with long ranges. President Putin will be on a two-day visit to India. India is also likely to clear the deal for 280 missiles of the S-400 Sudarshan Chakra air defence missile system, as they were used successfully against Pakistani targets at multiple locations across the length and breadth of that country. India has gone in a big way to equip its Navy and the other two services with BrahMos missiles and has also been able to successfully export the missile to the Philippines, and is likely to achieve success with more sales in the Asian region. The BrahMos, with its supersonic speeds, is very difficult to intercept for the enemy forces and hit its targets without any issues during the conflict with Pakistan in May earlier this year. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

India has gone in a big way to equip its Navy and the other two services with BrahMos missiles and has also been able to successfully export the missile to the Philippines, and is likely to achieve success with more sales in the Asian region.

BrahMos 2.0? India–Russia likely to discuss next-gen supersonic cruise missiles during Putin’s visit

As New Delhi prepares to host Russian President Vladimir Putin for the India–Russia Annual Summit, an extraordinary, multi-layered security grid has been activated across the national capital. With elite officers from Russia’s Presidential Security Service, India’s National Security Guard (NSG), specialised snipers, anti-drone systems, and AI-powered surveillance, the city is under one of its most extensive security covers in recent years.&nbsp;Putin is set to arrive in Delhi on Thursday (December 4) evening at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders are expected to share a private dinner soon after the Russian President lands. On Friday (December 5) morning, he will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan before paying homage at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Raj Ghat. His packed schedule also includes the bilateral summit at Hyderabad House, an event at Bharat Mandapam, and a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-president-vladimir-putin-arrives-in-delhi-tomorrow-for-high-stakes-india-visit-modi-meet-amid-strengthening-ties-1764745421461">Putin arrives in Delhi tomorrow for high-stakes India visit amid strengthening ties</a>&nbsp;Indian news website NDTV citing sources have reported that more than 40 highly trained Russian security experts arrived days in advance to coordinate seamlessly with Indian agencies. Their teams, along with Delhi Police and NSG officials, have been sweeping every route and venue on Putin’s itinerary. Special surveillance drones will feed real-time visuals to a central control room monitoring the Russian leader’s movement. Strategic rooftops will have snipers positioned throughout his transit, while jamming devices, facial-recognition systems, and AI-enabled analytics form the core of the tech-heavy security envelope.&nbsp;The protection plan consists of a five-tier ring that activates the moment Putin touches down in Delhi. The outer layers will be managed jointly by NSG and Delhi Police, while the innermost layers will remain under the exclusive oversight of Russia’s Presidential Security Service. Whenever Putin and Prime Minister Modi appear together, commandos from the Special Protection Group (SPG), responsible for the PM’s security, will merge into the inner ring.&nbsp;Putin’s hotel has undergone multiple rounds of sanitisation, and Russian security officers have already inspected all venues, including optional, unscheduled stopovers, to preempt any vulnerability. A key component of the Russian President’s security setup is the Aurus Senat, the heavily fortified state limousine that accompanies him on foreign visits. The armoured vehicle has been flown in specifically for the India trip. Earlier this year, Putin gave PM Modi a ride in the same model during the SCO summit in China.

India-Russia Summit 2025: Armoured convoy, AI surveillance, snipers — Delhi turns into a fortress for Russia President Vladimir Putin

As New Delhi prepares to host Russian President Vladimir Putin for the India–Russia Annual Summit, an extraordinary, multi-layered security grid has been activated across the national capital. With elite officers from Russia’s Presidential Security Service, India’s National Security Guard (NSG), specialised snipers, anti-drone systems, and AI-powered surveillance, the city is under one of its most extensive security covers in recent years. Putin is set to arrive in Delhi on Thursday (December 4) evening at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders are expected to share a private dinner soon after the Russian President lands. On Friday (December 5) morning, he will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan before paying homage at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Raj Ghat. His packed schedule also includes the bilateral summit at Hyderabad House, an event at Bharat Mandapam, and a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. Also Read: Putin arrives in Delhi tomorrow for high-stakes India visit amid strengthening ties Indian news website NDTV citing sources have reported that more than 40 highly trained Russian security experts arrived days in advance to coordinate seamlessly with Indian agencies. Their teams, along with Delhi Police and NSG officials, have been sweeping every route and venue on Putin’s itinerary. Special surveillance drones will feed real-time visuals to a central control room monitoring the Russian leader’s movement. Strategic rooftops will have snipers positioned throughout his transit, while jamming devices, facial-recognition systems, and AI-enabled analytics form the core of the tech-heavy security envelope. The protection plan consists of a five-tier ring that activates the moment Putin touches down in Delhi. The outer layers will be managed jointly by NSG and Delhi Police, while the innermost layers will remain under the exclusive oversight of Russia’s Presidential Security Service. Whenever Putin and Prime Minister Modi appear together, commandos from the Special Protection Group (SPG), responsible for the PM’s security, will merge into the inner ring. Putin’s hotel has undergone multiple rounds of sanitisation, and Russian security officers have already inspected all venues, including optional, unscheduled stopovers, to preempt any vulnerability. A key component of the Russian President’s security setup is the Aurus Senat, the heavily fortified state limousine that accompanies him on foreign visits. The armoured vehicle has been flown in specifically for the India trip. Earlier this year, Putin gave PM Modi a ride in the same model during the SCO summit in China.

India and Russia deploy an intense five-layer security setup which includes snipers, drones, AI systems, and a flown-in Aurus Senat, as Putin set to land in Delhi for the summit

Ahead of the visit by the Russian President Vladimir Putin to India, the ambassadors of the UK, France, and Germany, &nbsp;to India, Lindy Cameron, Thierry Mathou, and Philipp Ackermann, wrote an op-ed that made a scathing attack on Russia for escalating the war with Ukraine despite ongoing peace talks. Officials of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs responded to the article by calling it “unacceptable and unusual”The article titled "World wants the Ukraine war to end, but Russia doesn’t seem serious about peace", accused Russia of launching an “unprovoked war of aggression”. It said that Russia is the only nation that wants this unprovoked aggression, and only it could end this. They wrote, “Every day sees new indiscriminate Russian attacks in this illegal war, targeting civilian infrastructure, destroying homes, hospitals, and schools. These are not the actions of someone that is serious about peace."The article also accused Russia of global instability and incursion into European airspace, sparking concern in NATO countries. The article referenced, &nbsp;“India’s voice on the matter is also loud and clear, and as PM Modi put it: ‘A solution cannot be found on the battlefield.'”Kanwal Sibbal, India's former foreign secretary who was also an ambassador of India to France, accused the diplomats of having a “propagandist intent”. He said that such third-party interference in the Indian diplomatic relations is “vicious” and aimed at fueling anti-Russian sentiment in pro-European circles of India. Mr Sibal called MEA to officially express displeasure at the conduct of the ambassador and condemn the violation of diplomatic norms.&nbsp;<h2>Putin's impending India visit</h2>Putin is on a two-day visit to India, along with Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and a delegation of business leaders. The visit comes just after the Russian rejection of the US peace plan. Against this backdrop of a failed negotiation between the US and Russia to end the Ukraine war, the visit became highly significant and speculative. Russia have not retracted from its overt display and rhetoric of power against the European nations with several incursions in European airspace and waters. India had been one of the closest allies of Russia since the Nehruvian era. This visit is likely to fortify Russia's war economy with the sales of oil, missile defence systems and jets.&nbsp;“A large part of the trading relationship was based on energy, which is now losing traction under the threat of sanctions from the US," said Harsh Pant researcher of Policy studies at ORF.This is Moscow's first visit to New Delhi since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. However, India remains wary of the US that any potential energy or defence deal could trigger global repercussions. So, for India in its attempt to balance the US and Russia, both, this becomes a delicate moment, with the Russian rejection of the peace deal, Putin's visit, and European criticism all colliding together.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Just before Putin’s two-day India visit, European envoys criticise Russia for prolonging the Ukraine war, prompting a sharp response from MEA officials. The visit comes days after Moscow rejected a US peace plan.

Ahead of the visit by the Russian President Vladimir Putin to India, the ambassadors of the UK, France, and Germany, to India, Lindy Cameron, Thierry Mathou, and Philipp Ackermann, wrote an op-ed that made a scathing attack on Russia for escalating the war with Ukraine despite ongoing peace talks. Officials of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs responded to the article by calling it “unacceptable and unusual” The article titled "World wants the Ukraine war to end, but Russia doesn’t seem serious about peace", accused Russia of launching an “unprovoked war of aggression”. It said that Russia is the only nation that wants this unprovoked aggression, and only it could end this. They wrote, “Every day sees new indiscriminate Russian attacks in this illegal war, targeting civilian infrastructure, destroying homes, hospitals, and schools. These are not the actions of someone that is serious about peace." The article also accused Russia of global instability and incursion into European airspace, sparking concern in NATO countries. The article referenced, “India’s voice on the matter is also loud and clear, and as PM Modi put it: ‘A solution cannot be found on the battlefield.'” Kanwal Sibbal, India's former foreign secretary who was also an ambassador of India to France, accused the diplomats of having a “propagandist intent”. He said that such third-party interference in the Indian diplomatic relations is “vicious” and aimed at fueling anti-Russian sentiment in pro-European circles of India. Mr Sibal called MEA to officially express displeasure at the conduct of the ambassador and condemn the violation of diplomatic norms. Putin's impending India visit Putin is on a two-day visit to India, along with Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and a delegation of business leaders. The visit comes just after the Russian rejection of the US peace plan. Against this backdrop of a failed negotiation between the US and Russia to end the Ukraine war, the visit became highly significant and speculative. Russia have not retracted from its overt display and rhetoric of power against the European nations with several incursions in European airspace and waters. India had been one of the closest allies of Russia since the Nehruvian era. This visit is likely to fortify Russia's war economy with the sales of oil, missile defence systems and jets. “A large part of the trading relationship was based on energy, which is now losing traction under the threat of sanctions from the US," said Harsh Pant researcher of Policy studies at ORF. This is Moscow's first visit to New Delhi since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. However, India remains wary of the US that any potential energy or defence deal could trigger global repercussions. So, for India in its attempt to balance the US and Russia, both, this becomes a delicate moment, with the Russian rejection of the peace deal, Putin's visit, and European criticism all colliding together.

Just before Putin’s two-day India visit, European envoys criticise Russia for prolonging the Ukraine war, prompting a sharp response from MEA officials. The visit comes days after Moscow rejected a US peace plan.

'Unacceptable and unusual'- MEA official respond to insulting article by UK, France and Germany envoy ahead of Putin's visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to arrive in India on December 4 for a two-day state visit, during which he will hold the 23rd bilateral summit with Prime Minister Modi. This will be his first visit to India since 2022, and the start of the Ukraine conflict. The visit is likely to yield significant deals in the sector covering defence, trade, energy and currency settlement mechanisms.<h3>Putin’s schedule for December 4-5</h3>President Putin will arrive in New Delhi on the evening of December 4, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a private dinner at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg from 7 pm onwards. Vladimir Putin will be in Delhi till December 5 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between India and Russia.&nbsp;On 5 December at 9 a.m., President Vladimir Putin will receive a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, including a tri-service guard of honour. He will then visit Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.<h3>India–Russia Summit at Hyderabad House</h3>At 11 a.m., Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin will convene the 23rd India–Russia Summit at Hyderabad House. Key announcements and agreements are expected across defence, energy, trade, technology, space, and strategic cooperation. The two leaders will also release a joint statement after their discussions.&nbsp;At 4 p.m., both leaders will address the India–Russia Business Forum, with a focus on reshaping bilateral trade, an important segment given the recent surge in economic ties.&nbsp;Later, at 7 p.m., President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet in honour of President Putin. The Russian President will depart late that evening, concluding a nearly 30-hour visit to India.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Putin stated that Russia aims to "elevate cooperation" with India and take the partnership between both nations to a "qualitatively new level," establishing substantive dialogue on economic issues.&nbsp;"We aim to elevate cooperation with the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India to a qualitatively new level by strengthening its technological component. This is the objective of numerous joint projects in energy, industry, space, agriculture, and other sectors," Putin said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit will be his first to India since 2022, and the start of the Ukraine conflict. The visit is likely to yield significant deals in the sector covering defence, trade, energy and currency settlement mechanisms.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to arrive in India on December 4 for a two-day state visit, during which he will hold the 23rd bilateral summit with Prime Minister Modi. This will be his first visit to India since 2022, and the start of the Ukraine conflict. The visit is likely to yield significant deals in the sector covering defence, trade, energy and currency settlement mechanisms. Putin’s schedule for December 4-5 President Putin will arrive in New Delhi on the evening of December 4, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a private dinner at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg from 7 pm onwards. Vladimir Putin will be in Delhi till December 5 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between India and Russia. On 5 December at 9 a.m., President Vladimir Putin will receive a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, including a tri-service guard of honour. He will then visit Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. India–Russia Summit at Hyderabad House At 11 a.m., Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin will convene the 23rd India–Russia Summit at Hyderabad House. Key announcements and agreements are expected across defence, energy, trade, technology, space, and strategic cooperation. The two leaders will also release a joint statement after their discussions. At 4 p.m., both leaders will address the India–Russia Business Forum, with a focus on reshaping bilateral trade, an important segment given the recent surge in economic ties. Later, at 7 p.m., President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet in honour of President Putin. The Russian President will depart late that evening, concluding a nearly 30-hour visit to India. Meanwhile, Putin stated that Russia aims to "elevate cooperation" with India and take the partnership between both nations to a "qualitatively new level," establishing substantive dialogue on economic issues. "We aim to elevate cooperation with the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India to a qualitatively new level by strengthening its technological component. This is the objective of numerous joint projects in energy, industry, space, agriculture, and other sectors," Putin said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit will be his first to India since 2022, and the start of the Ukraine conflict. The visit is likely to yield significant deals in the sector covering defence, trade, energy and currency settlement mechanisms.

Russian President Putin's India visit: Full schedule, key meetings and strategic announcements

When Vladimir Putin lands in New Delhi on 4–5 December for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, it will be far more than a routine diplomatic engagement. This is his first trip to India since 2021, a period in which Russia has fought a war, survived unprecedented sanctions, reoriented its economy, and deepened its dependency on China. For India, the summit comes in an era defined by tariff tensions with the US, strained ties with Canada and Europe, and a volatile Asian security environment. For Russia, India is not just another partner, it is the only major power that has refused to join Western pressure campaigns, kept economic channels open, and remained politically dependable without becoming a client state.&nbsp;The symbolism of Putin’s presence in New Delhi is unmistakable. But beyond the optics lies a moment of recalibration: both sides want continuity, but neither wants to appear constrained. That is why the 2025 summit will focus heavily on practical deliverables rather than grand declarations.<h2>Energy first: The relationship that both need, but neither will admit fully</h2>Energy is now the most strategic, and the most complicated, pillar of the India–Russia relationship. Since 2022, Russian crude has become India’s largest import stream, giving Indian refiners enormous cost advantages and helping Moscow redirect its oil away from the West. But the newest US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil have disrupted these flows. Not enough to break them, but enough to force a redesign of the supply chain. India is unlikely to trumpet it publicly while Putin is in Delhi, but 2026 will probably see reduced direct oil-linked transactions.&nbsp;Still, neither side wants this partnership to contract. Russia wants India as a long-term buyer to avoid overdependence on China. India wants discounted crude to sustain its refinery margins and price stability. Moscow is already preparing deeper discounts, new shipping channels, and intermediary traders to keep barrels flowing.&nbsp;Beyond oil, Russia wants to lock in the future of nuclear cooperation. Rosatom’s SMR push, especially after its MoU with Maharashtra, signals Russia’s intent to seed new nuclear ecosystems in India. Kudankulam’s later phases continue, but the real strategic question is whether India will approve a second Russian NPP site. India is keeping its cards close, signalling interest while simultaneously assessing offers from the US and France. Russia may have been India’s nuclear partner for decades, but the competition is now real.<h2>Defence ties: Back from the brink, but quietly</h2>India–Russia defence cooperation is back in motion after a period of doubt from 2022 to 2024. But unlike the past, this revival is happening quietly and pragmatically. A follow-on order for the S-400 seems likely, especially after their performance in Operation Sindoor — but deliveries may still face delays due to Russia’s domestic demands. The more dramatic headlines, however, are the systems India has long been cautious about: The S-500 air defence system, the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter, the S-500 remains a long-term possibility. Russia has barely inducted the system itself, making exports unlikely in the near future.&nbsp;The Su-57E, however, is a different story. Ironically, India once walked out of the FGFA programme citing poor stealth characteristics and inadequate tech transfer. But today, with squadron strength low and timelines slipping across all major fighter programmes, the IAF is willing to reconsider, if the deal comes with real autonomy.<h2>Trade, industry and connectivity</h2>Trade is the weakest link in the India–Russia relationship, and both sides know it. India’s exports to Russia remain disproportionately low, creating a structural imbalance and complicating currency settlement mechanisms. Russia, for its part, is now actively opening its markets to Indian products, from pharmaceuticals and chemicals to agriculture, telecom equipment, and machinery.&nbsp;The summit is expected to unveil measures targeting this imbalance: easier Russian market access for Indian MSMEs,faster progress on the India–EAEU trade agreement, more predictable currency routes, and smoother customs procedures. Financial architecture is another area of accelerated integration.&nbsp;&nbsp;A Russian Central Bank office in India will deepen settlements and reduce sanctions vulnerability. More Russian banks operating locally will further stabilise payments. Industrial cooperation is expanding too, and in unexpected directions. India will announce a new urea manufacturing plant in Russia to secure fertiliser supply. HAL and UAC are pushing the SJ-100 passenger aircraft collaboration. And Russia is making a strong pitch for maritime cooperation: shipbuilding clusters in Mumbai and Chennai, joint icebreakers, green shipping, and ocean research. This is an India–Russia relationship diversifying beyond its old pillars, but carefully, and away from the spotlight.<h2>What the 2025 Summit will likely deliver</h2><h3>1. A redesigned energy roadmap</h3><ul><li>New oil supply chains to bypass US restrictions.</li><li>Higher, formalised Russian discounts.</li><li>Progress on SMRs and nuclear localisation.</li></ul><h3>2. Quiet defence breakthroughs</h3><ul><li>Follow-on S-400 missile purchases.</li><li>A serious India–Russia line of communication on the Su-57E.</li><li>A framework — not a contract — for future S-500 cooperation.</li></ul><h3>3. Trade and financial integration</h3><ul><li>Russian commitments to expand imports from India.</li><li>Faster movement on the India–EAEU trade pact.</li><li>Roadmap for rupee–rouble trade corridors.</li></ul><h3>4. Big industrial announcements</h3><ul><li>India’s urea plant in Russia.</li><li>SJ-100 aircraft partnership expansion.</li><li>Shipbuilding clusters and maritime training programmes.</li></ul><h3>5. A political message to the world</h3>In a world reshaped by US tariffs, a fracturing Europe, and a tense US–China dynamic, Putin’s Delhi visit is intended to broadcast one message: The India–Russia partnership remains resilient, adaptable, and resistant to external pressure.

India-Russia Summit 2025: From oil to missiles, here are the key policy outcomes expected ahead of Putin-Modi meeting

When Vladimir Putin lands in New Delhi on 4–5 December for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, it will be far more than a routine diplomatic engagement. This is his first trip to India since 2021, a period in which Russia has fought a war, survived unprecedented sanctions, reoriented its economy, and deepened its dependency on China. For India, the summit comes in an era defined by tariff tensions with the US, strained ties with Canada and Europe, and a volatile Asian security environment. For Russia, India is not just another partner, it is the only major power that has refused to join Western pressure campaigns, kept economic channels open, and remained politically dependable without becoming a client state. The symbolism of Putin’s presence in New Delhi is unmistakable. But beyond the optics lies a moment of recalibration: both sides want continuity, but neither wants to appear constrained. That is why the 2025 summit will focus heavily on practical deliverables rather than grand declarations. Energy first: The relationship that both need, but neither will admit fully Energy is now the most strategic, and the most complicated, pillar of the India–Russia relationship. Since 2022, Russian crude has become India’s largest import stream, giving Indian refiners enormous cost advantages and helping Moscow redirect its oil away from the West. But the newest US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil have disrupted these flows. Not enough to break them, but enough to force a redesign of the supply chain. India is unlikely to trumpet it publicly while Putin is in Delhi, but 2026 will probably see reduced direct oil-linked transactions. Still, neither side wants this partnership to contract. Russia wants India as a long-term buyer to avoid overdependence on China. India wants discounted crude to sustain its refinery margins and price stability. Moscow is already preparing deeper discounts, new shipping channels, and intermediary traders to keep barrels flowing. Beyond oil, Russia wants to lock in the future of nuclear cooperation. Rosatom’s SMR push, especially after its MoU with Maharashtra, signals Russia’s intent to seed new nuclear ecosystems in India. Kudankulam’s later phases continue, but the real strategic question is whether India will approve a second Russian NPP site. India is keeping its cards close, signalling interest while simultaneously assessing offers from the US and France. Russia may have been India’s nuclear partner for decades, but the competition is now real. Defence ties: Back from the brink, but quietly India–Russia defence cooperation is back in motion after a period of doubt from 2022 to 2024. But unlike the past, this revival is happening quietly and pragmatically. A follow-on order for the S-400 seems likely, especially after their performance in Operation Sindoor — but deliveries may still face delays due to Russia’s domestic demands. The more dramatic headlines, however, are the systems India has long been cautious about: The S-500 air defence system, the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter, the S-500 remains a long-term possibility. Russia has barely inducted the system itself, making exports unlikely in the near future. The Su-57E, however, is a different story. Ironically, India once walked out of the FGFA programme citing poor stealth characteristics and inadequate tech transfer. But today, with squadron strength low and timelines slipping across all major fighter programmes, the IAF is willing to reconsider, if the deal comes with real autonomy. Trade, industry and connectivity Trade is the weakest link in the India–Russia relationship, and both sides know it. India’s exports to Russia remain disproportionately low, creating a structural imbalance and complicating currency settlement mechanisms. Russia, for its part, is now actively opening its markets to Indian products, from pharmaceuticals and chemicals to agriculture, telecom equipment, and machinery. The summit is expected to unveil measures targeting this imbalance: easier Russian market access for Indian MSMEs, faster progress on the India–EAEU trade agreement, more predictable currency routes, and smoother customs procedures. Financial architecture is another area of accelerated integration. A Russian Central Bank office in India will deepen settlements and reduce sanctions vulnerability. More Russian banks operating locally will further stabilise payments. Industrial cooperation is expanding too, and in unexpected directions. India will announce a new urea manufacturing plant in Russia to secure fertiliser supply. HAL and UAC are pushing the SJ-100 passenger aircraft collaboration. And Russia is making a strong pitch for maritime cooperation: shipbuilding clusters in Mumbai and Chennai, joint icebreakers, green shipping, and ocean research. This is an India–Russia relationship diversifying beyond its old pillars, but carefully, and away from the spotlight. What the 2025 Summit will likely deliver 1. A redesigned energy roadmap New oil supply chains to bypass US restrictions. Higher, formalised Russian discounts. Progress on SMRs and nuclear localisation. 2. Quiet defence breakthroughs Follow-on S-400 missile purchases. A serious India–Russia line of communication on the Su-57E. A framework — not a contract — for future S-500 cooperation. 3. Trade and financial integration Russian commitments to expand imports from India. Faster movement on the India–EAEU trade pact. Roadmap for rupee–rouble trade corridors. 4. Big industrial announcements India’s urea plant in Russia. SJ-100 aircraft partnership expansion. Shipbuilding clusters and maritime training programmes. 5. A political message to the world In a world reshaped by US tariffs, a fracturing Europe, and a tense US–China dynamic, Putin’s Delhi visit is intended to broadcast one message: The India–Russia partnership remains resilient, adaptable, and resistant to external pressure.

Putin’s Delhi visit will push energy, defence and trade ties as India and Russia navigate sanctions, supply shifts and a recalibrating global order

With Russian President Vladimir Putin set to visit India this week, on 4th-5th December 2025, for a bilateral summit, focus will be aimed at deepening economic ties and addressing a growing trade imbalance, officials from both sides have confirmed. At the heart of the visit is a newly finalised agreement on the mobility of skilled and semi-skilled workers. &nbsp;Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officials told reporters on Tuesday, that the document “has been finalised” and is now going through internal processes before formal signing.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Finalised agreement on mobility of skilled &amp; semi-skilled people. Document has been finalised. Going through internal processes,” officials said. The pact is seen in New Delhi as a practical step to facilitate greater movement of Indian professionals to Russia while encouraging Russian expertise in sectors where India has shortages.&nbsp;Economic ties will be key focus but trade figures have ballooned in recent years, largely driven by Indian purchases of discounted Russian oil, pushing bilateral trade over $65 billion. Yet the relationship remains heavily skewed as India’s exports to Russia are far less than Russian exports to India. Both sides now say they want to correct the imbalance. “We know our Indian friends are concerned about disbalance in trade. We want to buy more from India. We are looking for joint efforts,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said ahead of the visit, addressing Indian journalists in a Sputnik media organised event. He revealed that Russian and Indian business leaders will meet in the run-up to the summit to identify new export opportunities.&nbsp;Indian officials echoed the sentiment. “Aim is to bridge the trade deficit between India, Russia,” MEA officials said, highlighting ongoing discussions on exporting marine products, potatoes, pomegranates, pharmaceuticals, processed food, and consumer goods from India to Russia. Peskov was upbeat about longer-term ambitions despite Trump imposing tariffs on India for importing Russian crude oil. “Before 2030, I hope to reach trade at $100 bn. Our trade should not be impacted by the 3rd country. Almost all volumes of trade are in national currencies now,” he said, noting the rapid shift away from the US dollar in bilateral transactions.&nbsp;Several agreements are expected to be signed in trade, economic cooperation, healthcare, and media sectors, though, as is customary, defence-related pacts will not be publicly announced during the visit. On energy, Peskov stressed continuity despite Western sanctions. “We are an important source of energy supplies to India. It is of mutual benefit,” he said, adding that any short-term dips in oil volumes were being managed. Indian officials took a similar market-driven line, saying private companies make purchasing decisions “based on dynamics in the international market”.&nbsp;The visit will also touch on broader geopolitical issues, including counter-terrorism cooperation and the Ukraine conflict. Peskov praised India’s stance on the conflict, saying, “we do appreciate the stand of India. The readiness of Delhi to search for a peaceful solution… The Indian side listens to us. India wants to listen to us. India hears us. It’s a mutual understanding.” For New Delhi, the summit underlines what MEA officials describe as “one of the most stable relationships in modern time”.&nbsp;With new Indian consulates opening in Kazan and soon Yekaterinburg and talks underway for a free-trade agreement with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union, both capitals appear determined to place economics at the centre of a partnership that has endured for decades. As one senior Indian official put it: “Focus of the visit is growing trade &amp; economic ties. Russia has been a partner, including during the Cold War years. In the last few years, significant growth in bilateral trade &amp; economic ties. Growing interest to deepen it.”

India, Russia to sign mobility pact as Moscow pledges to cut trade deficit ahead of Putin visit

With Russian President Vladimir Putin set to visit India this week, on 4th-5th December 2025, for a bilateral summit, focus will be aimed at deepening economic ties and addressing a growing trade imbalance, officials from both sides have confirmed. At the heart of the visit is a newly finalised agreement on the mobility of skilled and semi-skilled workers. Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officials told reporters on Tuesday, that the document “has been finalised” and is now going through internal processes before formal signing. “Finalised agreement on mobility of skilled & semi-skilled people. Document has been finalised. Going through internal processes,” officials said. The pact is seen in New Delhi as a practical step to facilitate greater movement of Indian professionals to Russia while encouraging Russian expertise in sectors where India has shortages. Economic ties will be key focus but trade figures have ballooned in recent years, largely driven by Indian purchases of discounted Russian oil, pushing bilateral trade over $65 billion. Yet the relationship remains heavily skewed as India’s exports to Russia are far less than Russian exports to India. Both sides now say they want to correct the imbalance. “We know our Indian friends are concerned about disbalance in trade. We want to buy more from India. We are looking for joint efforts,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said ahead of the visit, addressing Indian journalists in a Sputnik media organised event. He revealed that Russian and Indian business leaders will meet in the run-up to the summit to identify new export opportunities. Indian officials echoed the sentiment. “Aim is to bridge the trade deficit between India, Russia,” MEA officials said, highlighting ongoing discussions on exporting marine products, potatoes, pomegranates, pharmaceuticals, processed food, and consumer goods from India to Russia. Peskov was upbeat about longer-term ambitions despite Trump imposing tariffs on India for importing Russian crude oil. “Before 2030, I hope to reach trade at $100 bn. Our trade should not be impacted by the 3rd country. Almost all volumes of trade are in national currencies now,” he said, noting the rapid shift away from the US dollar in bilateral transactions. Several agreements are expected to be signed in trade, economic cooperation, healthcare, and media sectors, though, as is customary, defence-related pacts will not be publicly announced during the visit. On energy, Peskov stressed continuity despite Western sanctions. “We are an important source of energy supplies to India. It is of mutual benefit,” he said, adding that any short-term dips in oil volumes were being managed. Indian officials took a similar market-driven line, saying private companies make purchasing decisions “based on dynamics in the international market”. The visit will also touch on broader geopolitical issues, including counter-terrorism cooperation and the Ukraine conflict. Peskov praised India’s stance on the conflict, saying, “we do appreciate the stand of India. The readiness of Delhi to search for a peaceful solution… The Indian side listens to us. India wants to listen to us. India hears us. It’s a mutual understanding.” For New Delhi, the summit underlines what MEA officials describe as “one of the most stable relationships in modern time”. With new Indian consulates opening in Kazan and soon Yekaterinburg and talks underway for a free-trade agreement with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union, both capitals appear determined to place economics at the centre of a partnership that has endured for decades. As one senior Indian official put it: “Focus of the visit is growing trade & economic ties. Russia has been a partner, including during the Cold War years. In the last few years, significant growth in bilateral trade & economic ties. Growing interest to deepen it.”

Economic ties will be key focus but trade figures have ballooned in recent years, largely driven by Indian purchases of discounted Russian oil, pushing bilateral trade over $65 billion

Russia President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to India will invite inevitable pundit fatigue: another summit, another handshake, another round of diplomatic boilerplate. But reducing this moment to routine would be a mistake. His arrival in New Delhi, his first major visit after travelling to the US and China, and his first to India since the Ukraine war upended Russia’s global standing, carries far more weight than its ceremonial packaging.&nbsp;This is not just a bilateral meeting. It is a geopolitical signal, a strategic recalibration, and a diplomatic test for India in a world that has become increasingly bipolar. It is a moment that tells us how much has changed in the global order, and how much India’s choices now matter in shaping it.<h2>A visit two years in the making</h2>For nearly two years, Vladimir Putin avoided major global gatherings, not because of logistical constraints, but because of the political and legal storm surrounding him. He skipped the G20 Summit in New Delhi. He avoided BRICS and multiple multilateral events where his presence would have been overshadowed by the Ukraine war, sanctions, and the ICC arrest warrant. Against that backdrop, the decision to travel to India is not casual; it is deliberate.&nbsp;This visit is Putin’s biggest political bet after his trips to China and the US. Those two capitals symbolise the polar ends of global power. India represents something else entirely: the swing power in the middle, whose partnership Russia cannot afford to lose. And for India, hosting Putin at this juncture is equally meaningful. It is a quiet assertion of strategic autonomy, a reminder that New Delhi charts its own geopolitical course, and a signal to the world that India will not be pressured into taking sides in the new Cold War.&nbsp;At a time when Washington, Brussels and even some Asian partners anticipate a slow distancing between India and Russia, New Delhi has sent a different message: that engagement with Moscow is not a relic of the past, it is a calculation for the future.<h2>Defence, energy, and the China factor — The real agenda behind closed doors</h2>The India–Russia relationship is often described as “historic,” but the real glue today is pragmatic, not sentimental.Defence: A partnership both rely on, even reluctantly. Despite diversification, the backbone of India’s military still rests on Russian equipment, from fighters and tanks to submarines and missile systems. The Ukraine war highlighted Russia’s own challenges with supply chains and production capacity, raising new questions about long-term reliability. Yet for India, switching away entirely is neither strategically wise nor financially feasible.&nbsp;This visit will likely reaffirm: S-400 delivery timelines, joint development projects, long-term maintenance and spare-parts commitments and possible next-generation naval and aerospace collaborations.&nbsp;India does not want dependence; Russia cannot afford abandonment. Both sides know the relationship isn’t perfect, but neither can walk away from it.<h2>Energy: The quiet revolution powering the partnership</h2>If defence built the old relationship, energy is shaping the new one. Since 2022, India’s purchase of discounted Russian crude has not only softened global energy inflation but strengthened India’s economic resilience. For Russia, India has become an indispensable customer, a lifeline that keeps Moscow’s war economy afloat amid sanctions. Expect the summit to push: Multi-year oil supply commitments, new LNG and gas frameworks, rupee-rouble trade mechanisms, eastern arctic and far-east energy investments. This is not transactional anymore, it is structural.<h2>China: The silent presence at every India–Russia talk</h2>Russia today leans heavily on China. India’s biggest strategic threat is China. This contradiction sits at the centre of India–Russia ties. But here lies the paradoxical logic: The more Russia tilts toward China, the more India needs to keep Moscow close. If Russia becomes fully dependent on Beijing, India loses a balancing lever in Eurasia. Putin’s visit is therefore as much about India–Russia relations as it is about preventing a Moscow–Beijing duopoly.<h2>Modi–Putin: A personal equation that simplifies a complex relationship</h2>Diplomacy is often framed as systems, strategies and institutions. But at the highest level, personal chemistry matters, sometimes more than written agreements. The Modi–Putin dynamic has been unusually resilient. Both leaders value directness, dislike moralistic diplomacy, and prefer transactional clarity. More importantly, both have political longevity and governance continuity — a rarity in global politics today.&nbsp;This personal comfort zone has allowed the two countries to weather difficult phases: India refusing to condemn Russia at the UN, Moscow’s deepening embrace of China, New Delhi’s growing closeness with Washington, Western pressure on India for buying Russian oil and &nbsp;Russian delays in defence deliveries due to the Ukraine war.&nbsp;A weaker relationship at the leadership level might have collapsed under this strain. Instead, it has adapted. Putin calling Modi a “dear friend” is not just diplomatic flattery. It is a recognition that India is one of the few major powers with whom Russia can engage without ideological baggage or conditionalities. This rapport gives India something priceless: leverage. And leverage gives India what every rising power needs: options.<h2>This is not another summit</h2>Putin’s India visit is not routine diplomacy. It is a turning point disguised as a familiar ritual. It reminds us that great-power politics today is not about flags, alliances or ideological blocs. It is about managed contradictions, overlapping partnerships, and the quiet assertion of national interest. For Russia, India offers relevance. For India, Russia offers leverage. For the world, this visit is another sign that multipolarity is no longer a concept, it is already here.&nbsp;Whether this summit becomes a foundation for a renewed partnership or merely a moment of geopolitical theatre will depend on what Modi and Putin choose to shape behind closed doors. But one thing is clear: This is not just another summit. This is a statement, about India’s autonomy, Russia’s needs, and the new shape of the international order.&nbsp;Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

India-Russia Summit 2025: Why Russian President Vladimir Putin’s India trip actually matters and why the West will be watching every move

Russia President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to India will invite inevitable pundit fatigue: another summit, another handshake, another round of diplomatic boilerplate. But reducing this moment to routine would be a mistake. His arrival in New Delhi, his first major visit after travelling to the US and China, and his first to India since the Ukraine war upended Russia’s global standing, carries far more weight than its ceremonial packaging. This is not just a bilateral meeting. It is a geopolitical signal, a strategic recalibration, and a diplomatic test for India in a world that has become increasingly bipolar. It is a moment that tells us how much has changed in the global order, and how much India’s choices now matter in shaping it. A visit two years in the making For nearly two years, Vladimir Putin avoided major global gatherings, not because of logistical constraints, but because of the political and legal storm surrounding him. He skipped the G20 Summit in New Delhi. He avoided BRICS and multiple multilateral events where his presence would have been overshadowed by the Ukraine war, sanctions, and the ICC arrest warrant. Against that backdrop, the decision to travel to India is not casual; it is deliberate. This visit is Putin’s biggest political bet after his trips to China and the US. Those two capitals symbolise the polar ends of global power. India represents something else entirely: the swing power in the middle, whose partnership Russia cannot afford to lose. And for India, hosting Putin at this juncture is equally meaningful. It is a quiet assertion of strategic autonomy, a reminder that New Delhi charts its own geopolitical course, and a signal to the world that India will not be pressured into taking sides in the new Cold War. At a time when Washington, Brussels and even some Asian partners anticipate a slow distancing between India and Russia, New Delhi has sent a different message: that engagement with Moscow is not a relic of the past, it is a calculation for the future. Defence, energy, and the China factor — The real agenda behind closed doors The India–Russia relationship is often described as “historic,” but the real glue today is pragmatic, not sentimental. Defence: A partnership both rely on, even reluctantly. Despite diversification, the backbone of India’s military still rests on Russian equipment, from fighters and tanks to submarines and missile systems. The Ukraine war highlighted Russia’s own challenges with supply chains and production capacity, raising new questions about long-term reliability. Yet for India, switching away entirely is neither strategically wise nor financially feasible. This visit will likely reaffirm: S-400 delivery timelines, joint development projects, long-term maintenance and spare-parts commitments and possible next-generation naval and aerospace collaborations. India does not want dependence; Russia cannot afford abandonment. Both sides know the relationship isn’t perfect, but neither can walk away from it. Energy: The quiet revolution powering the partnership If defence built the old relationship, energy is shaping the new one. Since 2022, India’s purchase of discounted Russian crude has not only softened global energy inflation but strengthened India’s economic resilience. For Russia, India has become an indispensable customer, a lifeline that keeps Moscow’s war economy afloat amid sanctions. Expect the summit to push: Multi-year oil supply commitments, new LNG and gas frameworks, rupee-rouble trade mechanisms, eastern arctic and far-east energy investments. This is not transactional anymore, it is structural. China: The silent presence at every India–Russia talk Russia today leans heavily on China. India’s biggest strategic threat is China. This contradiction sits at the centre of India–Russia ties. But here lies the paradoxical logic: The more Russia tilts toward China, the more India needs to keep Moscow close. If Russia becomes fully dependent on Beijing, India loses a balancing lever in Eurasia. Putin’s visit is therefore as much about India–Russia relations as it is about preventing a Moscow–Beijing duopoly. Modi–Putin: A personal equation that simplifies a complex relationship Diplomacy is often framed as systems, strategies and institutions. But at the highest level, personal chemistry matters, sometimes more than written agreements. The Modi–Putin dynamic has been unusually resilient. Both leaders value directness, dislike moralistic diplomacy, and prefer transactional clarity. More importantly, both have political longevity and governance continuity — a rarity in global politics today. This personal comfort zone has allowed the two countries to weather difficult phases: India refusing to condemn Russia at the UN, Moscow’s deepening embrace of China, New Delhi’s growing closeness with Washington, Western pressure on India for buying Russian oil and Russian delays in defence deliveries due to the Ukraine war. A weaker relationship at the leadership level might have collapsed under this strain. Instead, it has adapted. Putin calling Modi a “dear friend” is not just diplomatic flattery. It is a recognition that India is one of the few major powers with whom Russia can engage without ideological baggage or conditionalities. This rapport gives India something priceless: leverage. And leverage gives India what every rising power needs: options. This is not another summit Putin’s India visit is not routine diplomacy. It is a turning point disguised as a familiar ritual. It reminds us that great-power politics today is not about flags, alliances or ideological blocs. It is about managed contradictions, overlapping partnerships, and the quiet assertion of national interest. For Russia, India offers relevance. For India, Russia offers leverage. For the world, this visit is another sign that multipolarity is no longer a concept, it is already here. Whether this summit becomes a foundation for a renewed partnership or merely a moment of geopolitical theatre will depend on what Modi and Putin choose to shape behind closed doors. But one thing is clear: This is not just another summit. This is a statement, about India’s autonomy, Russia’s needs, and the new shape of the international order. Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

Putin’s India visit signals strategic autonomy, deepening defence and energy ties, and India’s growing role as a key balancer in an increasingly polarised world

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of defence, energy, and strategic partnership.


Putin-Modi Meet: Putin's India Visit to Strengthen Defence & Energy Ties

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