Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India on December 5, 2025, for the 23rd annual India-Russia summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This will be Putin’s first visit to India since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2021, and it comes at a difficult time for India, which is reevaluating its reliance on Russian energy imports in the face of US and EU sanctions.
The proposed summit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the India-Russia Strategic Partnership, which was inked in 2000 and highlights the two countries’ long-standing diplomatic and economic connections.
According to the most recent statistics from maritime intelligence service Kpler, India’s oil imports from Russia fell to 1.61 million barrels per day in September 2025, a 16% fall year on year.
This drop follows a three-year surge in Indian imports of discounted Russian oil, which had grown to account for roughly one-third of India’s total energy supply.
The reduction could indicate India’s efforts to hedge its energy risks and diversify supply ahead of anticipated disruptions caused by penalties and tariffs imposed by the US and the EU.
The United States recently placed a 25% penalty tariff on India for its Russian oil imports, prompting worries about whether New Delhi may limit its intake in response. This reminiscence parallels India’s previous experiences with Iran and Venezuela, when Washington pressed New Delhi to reduce oil imports under the fear of sanctions.
In 2018, India stopped buying Iranian and Venezuelan crude, instead increasing imports from the United States and other producers. A similar path could be taken, depending on ongoing discussions and global energy market changes.
Moscow has criticized Washington’s actions as an effort to limit competition in the oil market. Speaking at the Valdai debate forum, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that oil commerce between Russia and India is purely bilateral and devoid of external intervention. Lavrov also noted that New Delhi has maintained a posture based on energy security and national interest, appreciating India’s determination on sovereign decision-making.
Prior to President Putin’s December visit, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev visited Delhi last week to discuss economic cooperation with Prime Minister Modi, particularly agricultural trade and the long-awaited India-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement.
Another round of high-level meetings is expected before the summit, potentially featuring Foreign Minister Lavrov. Modi and Putin have had regular contact this year, meeting in person at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin and chatting on the phone twice in August and September.
The India-Russia summit is anticipated to address a wide range of bilateral cooperation issues, from defense agreements to connectivity projects and addressing trade imbalances. Despite the consequences of the Ukraine war, Russia is still one of India’s top defense suppliers.
Joint weapons manufacture, knowledge transfer, and India’s ability to sustain operational readiness of Russian-origin military equipment are all scheduled to be discussed. Both sides must also consider how continued sanctions effect payment settlements and supply chains for defense contracts.
The global oil market also influences India’s decision on Russian imports. This week, OPEC+ announced an increase in production, potentially creating other supply choices and stabilizing world prices. For India, this move could make Middle Eastern and African crude more appealing as replacements, thereby reducing its dependency on Russian sources.
The summit’s scheduling coincides with the 25th anniversary of the India-Russia Strategic Partnership, highlighting both sides’ emphasis on long-term ties. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova referred to the 2000 proclamation as a “milestone” that strengthened ties based on mutual respect and consideration of each other’s interests.
The 2025 summit will serve as a symbolic platform for both countries to reconfirm promises while reevaluating economic, energy, and defense dynamics in the context of a challenging worldwide environment.
