Context:
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Russian President Vladimir Putin will undertake an official visit to India on December 4–5, 2025, for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Bilateral Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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The visit takes place amid ongoing geopolitical churn due to the Russia–Ukraine war and external economic pressures, including U.S. tariffs on India linked to Russian oil purchases.
Key Highlights:
High-Level Diplomatic Engagement
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The summit will review the entire spectrum of the India–Russia “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership”.
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President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet in honour of President Putin.
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A joint statement and multiple interdepartmental and business agreements are expected.
Core Areas of Discussion
Defence and Security Cooperation
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Strengthening long-standing defence partnership, including procurement, maintenance, and joint projects.
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Pre-summit consultations involved Nikolay Patrushev (key aide to Putin) meeting NSA Ajit Doval and Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, with focus on maritime security and strategic coordination.
Energy, Trade, and Economic Ties
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Discussions on energy cooperation, especially oil and gas trade.
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India is expected to raise concerns over the trade imbalance, aggravated by large-scale Russian crude oil imports.
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The visit occurs against the backdrop of a 25% U.S. tariff imposed on India for purchasing Russian oil, which has led to a decline in India’s Russian oil imports since September.
Civil Nuclear Cooperation
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Continued engagement in civil nuclear energy, a long-standing pillar of bilateral ties.
Regional and Global Issues
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Exchange of views on regional and global security developments, including the Russia–Ukraine war.
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Discussions may touch upon a proposed 28-point plan reportedly under deliberation among the U.S., Russia, Ukraine, and European stakeholders.
Relevant Prelims Points:
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Event: 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit (Dec 4–5, 2025).
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Key Framework: Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
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Key Officials Involved: Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi, Droupadi Murmu, Ajit Doval.
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Economic Term: Tariff – tax on cross-border trade.
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Impact: Reinforcement of defence ties; recalibration of trade and energy cooperation under external pressure.
Relevant Mains Points:
International Relations (GS II):
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India’s management of a strategic partnership amid global polarization.
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Balancing ties with Russia while maintaining strategic autonomy and engagement with the West.
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Role of summit diplomacy in sustaining long-term partnerships.
Economy (GS III):
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Energy security through diversified sourcing of crude oil.
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Managing trade deficits and mitigating the impact of external tariffs.
Internal Security (GS III):
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Defence cooperation and maritime security dialogue as pillars of national security.
Conceptual Clarity:
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Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership: Comprehensive cooperation across defence, energy, nuclear, trade, science & technology, and people-to-people ties.
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Interdepartmental Agreements: Operational instruments to translate summit-level intent into sectoral outcomes.
Way Forward:
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Address trade imbalance through greater market access and joint ventures.
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Ensure timely execution of defence and energy agreements.
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Sustain diplomatic engagement to insulate bilateral ties from external geopolitical pressures.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
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GS II: International Relations, strategic partnerships, summit diplomacy
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GS III: Economy (trade, energy security), Internal Security (defence cooperation)
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Prelims: India–Russia relations, tariffs, strategic partnership concepts