Key Facts
• Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on December 4, 2025.
• This marks Putin’s first visit to India since the Ukraine invasion in 2022.
• The visit is his first in four years, with a summit scheduled for December 5.
• Putin landed at 7:00 PM local time, welcomed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• India and Russia share a long-standing friendship dating back to the Soviet era.
• Talks will focus on economic and defense cooperation amid U.S. sanctions on Russia.
• The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023.
• India is not a member of the ICC, allowing Putin to visit without legal concerns.
Summary
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India on December 4, 2025, marking his first visit since the Ukraine invasion in 2022 and his first in four years. Welcomed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, Putin is set to hold a summit on December 5. Discussions are expected to center on strengthening economic and defense ties, especially as U.S. sanctions on Russia intensify. Despite an ICC arrest warrant issued in 2023 for alleged war crimes, India’s non-membership in the ICC ensures Putin’s visit proceeds without legal complications. The visit underscores the enduring friendship between India and Russia, rooted in their historical ties from the Soviet era.
