RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin will undertake a two-day visit to India from December 4 to hold annual summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi that is expected to produce significant outcomes to further solidify the bilateral strategic ties. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), announcing the visit, said on Friday that it will set the vision for strengthening the IndiaRussia ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’.

 

“At the invitation of Prime MinisterNarendra Modi, President of theRussian Federation VladimirPutin will pay a State visit to Indiafrom December 4 to 5 for the23rd India-Russia annual summit,” it said. President Droupadi Murmuwill also receive Putin and hosta banquet in his honour. “The forthcoming State visitwill provide an opportunity forthe leadership of India and Russiato review progress in bilateral relations, set the vision forstrengthening the ‘Special andPrivileged Strategic Partnership’ and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest,” the MEA said in a brief statement.

 

The focus of the ModiPutin talks are expected to focuson deepening cooperation inareas of defence and security, trade and civil nuclear energy. TheUkraine conflict is also likely tofigure prominently in the talks. India is looking at procuring additionalbatchesofS-400surface-to-air missile systems from Russia as the weapons proved tobeveryeffectiveduring the Operation Sindoor. Itis learnt that the proposed procurementmay figurein the talks between the two sides.

 

India and Russia have a mechanism under which India’s prime minister and the Russian president hold a summitmeeting annually toreview the entire gamut of ties. So far 22 annual summit meetings have taken place alternatively in India and Russia.The upcoming summit is expected to produce significantoutcomes to furthersolidify bilateral strategic ties, people familiar with the matter said.TheRussianpresidenthad last visited New Delhi in 2021. In July last year, PM Modi travelled to Moscow for the annual summit. Russia has been a time-tested partner for India and the country has been a key pillar of New Delhi’s foreign policy.