Introduction
When President Vladimir Putin touches down in New Delhi on 04 December 2025, it will be more than just a ceremonial state visit; it will be a defining moment in the trajectory of one of the world’s most resilient strategic partnerships. At the time of his last bilateral visit in December 2021, the global geo-political alignments were still settling, the Russia–Ukraine confrontation had not yet escalated to its full scale and India’s rise as a major global economic and strategic player was only beginning to be recognised. The strategic landscape in 2025 is vastly different and has become far more complex and volatile than 2021. Fairly predictable global order is fragmenting, giving way to multiple contesting power centres and new fluctuating alignments. Strategic rivalries between the major and emerging powers not only span the traditional military domains but, transcend economic dominance, technology leadership and control over critical resources. In this strategic context President Putin’s 2025 visit to India becomes especially significant.
A Relationship Built on Trust
The India–Russia relationship is not transactional; it is rooted in historical affinity and geopolitical associations that has stood the test of time. The relationship is anchored in historic instances that has influenced India’s security trajectory: the Soviet Union’s unequivocal support during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War despite Western pressure, its early assistance in developing India’s defence-industrial foundations, its long-term reliability in supplying frontline military platforms and supporting India in the sensitive domains of space and nuclear technology, where very few nations were willing to collaborate. Currently, new domains of collaboration and mutual reciprocity are being explored in the changing global order.
Russia’s Pivot from “Greater Europe” to “Greater Eurasia” And India’s Role
The most significant geopolitical shift of the last decade has been Russia’s reorientation from Greater Europe towards Greater Eurasia. This major transformation, as it unfolds is structural, not situational. Traditional engagement of Russia with Europe is being increasingly constrained due to a colossal sanctions imposed by the west in view of Russia’s Special Military Operations in Ukraine, instigated as a direct result of NATO’s continued expansion to the East. It has led to deep political and ideological mistrust. This has collectively reshaped Moscow’s external preferences, shedding its traditional avenues of cooperation and recalibrating its strategic preferences. Moscow has steadily focussed its energies towards Asia and its Far-East, where the rising powers, emerging markets and new geopolitical alignments offer fresh opportunities for partnership and stability. This framework brings together institutions such as BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) leading to inter-continental and trans-Siberian connectivity frameworks. Within this strategic reorientation, India occupies a central and unique locus standi. To maintain strategic equilibrium Moscow need to diversify partnerships, as the Eurasian balance would tilt overwhelmingly in China’s favour without India’s participation. India’s stable political environment, its vast and dynamic market, pivotal geographic location bridging South Asia, the Gulf, and the Indo-Pacific and its deeply independent foreign policy make it an essential pillar in shaping the future of Eurasia and ensuring that this emerging super-region remains truly multipolar.
Defence Cooperation: The Backbone of Indo-Russian Relationship.
Defence continues to be the most visible and significant pillar of India–Russia relations. From a traditional buyer–seller relationship, it has evolved into a mature ecosystem of co-development, co-production, technology transfer and long-term strategic alignment. The 2021 visit of President Putin had revitalised several key areas of collaboration to include; joint manufacturing of AK-203 assault rifles in India, the operational deployment of the S-400 air defence systems, the expansion of BrahMos exports to friendly foreign countries and enhanced cooperation in space-based military capabilities. The upcoming 2025 visit shall build on this momentum and is expected to accelerate next-generation defence initiatives such as joint fighter engine development, advanced aerospace upgrades for the Su-30MKI fleet, potential submarine leasing arrangements, cooperative research in hypersonic technologies and enhanced counter-drone and counter-swarm warfare solutions tailored for India’s evolving battlefield needs. India’s long standing demand of preventing delays and reduction of dependencies on foreign supply lines for the spares is likely to be addressed, with the focus on the localisation of spare parts manufacturing eco-system within India. Likely ratification of the Reciprocal Logistics Support Agreement (RELOS) is expected during President Putin’s visit for easier logistics access between the navies of the two countries. This synergy between India and Russia shaped by their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, is not only mutually beneficial but essential for India’s long-term strategic autonomy in a rapidly evolving global security landscape.
Energy Security: The Core Economic Convergence
Since 2022, Russia has rapidly become one of India’s largest and most reliable crude oil suppliers, providing discounted and economically viable energy thereby, strengthening India’s domestic energy security. This shift has given India significant strategic room to manage inflation, protect its economic growth trajectory and diversify its energy basket in the midst of global turbulence. President Putin’s 2025 visit is likely to place energy cooperation into a more structured and long-term framework. Key priorities could include negotiating long-term LNG supply contracts, securing Indian stakes in the Arctic and Russian Far East’s vast hydrocarbon fields and expanding collaborations in refining technology and downstream processing. Alternative payment mechanisms outside the traditional dollar-based systems are expected to be streamlined, reflecting a broader push towards financial multipolarity. Joint investments in petrochemicals, building of next-generation nuclear reactors with more advanced and safer designs and continued reliability of Russia’s support in nuclear fuel supply chains, reflect the forward-looking nature of this partnership. Collectively, these initiatives signal a deepening of the energy cooperation that now forms one of the strongest pillars of the India–Russia strategic relationship.
Rare Earths and Critical Minerals: A New Strategic Frontier
The future of global power is increasingly linked to the access to rare earth elements and critical minerals that underpin modern industries. And Russia with its vast reserves of these elements and minerals is a resource powerhouse. Rising India’s needs can be met through Russian resources, shielding it from overdependence on China-led mineral trails. President Putin’s 2025 visit is likely to push forward a multi-layered framework that includes opening Siberian mineral fields to Indian investment, expanding joint rare-earth processing and value addition, securing long-term supply agreements insulated from geopolitical pressures and co-developing advanced refining and extraction technologies.
Opportunities in Russia’s Far East
Russia’s Far East, an expansive, resource-rich region with a sparse population and enormous untapped economic potential has emerged as one of the most promising frontiers for India’s long-term strategic and commercial engagement. India’s footprint in this region has begun to deepen across numerous sectors to include agriculture, hydrocarbons, mining, forestry, fisheries and maritime logistics. These areas align seamlessly with India’s need for energy diversification, food security and access to critical minerals. The upcoming Putin visit is expected to revitalise and significantly expand these engagements, particularly by reaffirming commitment to the transformative Vladivostok–Chennai Maritime Corridor (VCMC).
Focus on Pharmaceutical and Textile Industry
During the 21st Annual Meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club, held in Sochi on 07 November 2024 President Putin stated that “We can purchase more agricultural goods and also take specific steps with regard to medicines and pharmaceutical products“. This comes in the backdrop of massive trade imbalance in favour of Russia, exacerbated by India’s large-scale crude purchases in the recent years. With likely labour mobility arrangement between the two countries, pathways for additional exports and indulgence of Indian professionals in these sectors in Russia are likely to be created during the course of the current visit.
Human Resource Dimension: A New Pillar for the Partnership
Russia confronts acute shortage of skilled professionals across key sectors due to significant population decline. India with its skilled demographic-dividend is well-positioned to become a reliable supplier to bridge this gap. Indian IT professionals, engineers, skilled technicians, nurses, paramedical staff and energy sector specialists are already in high demand across the World. This offers a mutually beneficial solution that addresses labour deficits while creating employment opportunities for Indian workers abroad. As per some media reports, a landmark bilateral labour mobility agreement could be expected thereby, establishing a framework for legal migration, protecting workers’ rights and expanding the presence of skilled Indian manpower in Russia.
Conclusion
India’s foreign policy has long been guided by the principle of strategic autonomy, prioritising independent decision-making over alignment with any single bloc or power centre. President Putin’s forthcoming visit signals Russia’s recognition of India as a rising global power whose voice and influence cannot be ignored. It simultaneously underscores India’s commitment to balanced, multipolar engagement that values strategic autonomy over alignments. The visit heralds the two nations’ shared interests in ensuring Eurasian stability, while paving the way for future-focused cooperation across critical domains. In an era of multiple shifting power centres, this relationship stands out as one of the most enduring and reliable examples of strategic friendship. President Putin’s 2025 visit promises to inaugurate a new, expanded and future-ready chapter in this time-tested alliance.
