Vladimir Putin to visit India later this year, dates being finalised, says Ajit Doval in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India later this year, with dates currently being finalised, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval confirmed during his visit to Moscow on Thursday.

In talks with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, Doval said New Delhi is “excited and delighted” about the upcoming engagement. He described past India-Russia summits as “watershed moments” in bilateral relations, underlining the significance of the forthcoming meeting.

This will be President Putin’s first visit to India since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in 2022.

Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin met twice – once during PM Modi’s visit to Moscow in July for the 22nd India-Russia summit, which marked his first bilateral trip since beginning his third term in office. During the visit, PM Modi was conferred Russia’s highest civilian honour, the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, for his contributions to strengthening India-Russia ties.

The two leaders met again in October in Kazan, when PM Modi attended the BRICS Summit.

Putin’s visit comes at a sensitive time, amid escalating trade tensions between New Delhi and Washington over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order slapping an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports, citing India’s ongoing purchases of Russian oil. The US has also threatened secondary sanctions against buyers of Russian crude unless Moscow agrees to end the war in Ukraine, now entering its fourth year, by Friday.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin has confirmed that President Putin is also expected to meet with Trump in the coming days.

– Ends