What Putin's visit might achieve

Russian President Vladimir Putin's forthcoming visit to India - in early December 2025-is highly significant as it aims to reaffirm and strengthen the "special and privileged strategic partnership" amidst a challenging global geopolitical landscape and increasing Western pressure on India.

- PRABHU DAYAL

This visit, the 23rd annual summit, will be his first to India since the Ukraine invasion in February 2022, underscoring its importance. The visit is part of a longstanding tradition of annual summits between the two countries, which alternate locations between India and Russia.

Donald Trump's aggressive policies and rhetoric have inadvertently pushed India to reaffirm and strengthen its longstanding, strategic ties with Russia. Ultimately, the pressure campaign by the United States has proved to be a "self-goal" that has reinforced India's resolve to pursue its strategic autonomy and potentially strengthen the alignment with Russia.

Putin's visit is seen as significant for India's foreign policy as it balances relations between Moscow and Washington. It is a strong signal of India's strategic autonomy and its commitment to a longstanding, trusted relationship with Russia, even as the US has imposed tariffs on India over its continued purchase of Russian oil. Both nations coordinate regularly on international political issues and aim to build a just, multipolar world order. The visit is intended to deliver major outcomes and reinforce the relationship amid a changing global order and Western pressure on India regarding its trade with Russia.