Putin set to visit India in early Dec to bolster ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India in early December for an annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi aimed at shoring up strategic and economic cooperation in the face of American pressure on New Delhi to roll back ties with Moscow, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

- Rezaul H Laskar

There was no official word from India or Russia on the planned visit though people familiar with planning for the trip on both sides said on condition of anonymity that Putin is expected to be in the Indian capital around December 5. The two sides are yet to finalise all details for the visit, including whether it will be for one or two days, the people added.

This will be Putin's first visit to India since the start of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and he last travelled to the country in 2021 for the annual summit. The visit will be an opportunity for the leadership to take stock of bilateral relations, especially amid pressure piled on India by the US to reduce purchases of Russian energy and armaments.