The India-Russia strategic partnership is poised to gain fresh momentum with Russian President Vladimir Putin visiting India from December 4–5, 2025, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the visit, the two leaders will hold bilateral talks on key areas of cooperation, while President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet in the Russian leader’s honour. The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit offers an opportunity to review progress in the long-standing partnership, chart a roadmap for strengthening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, and exchange views on regional and global developments.
The Kremlin described the visit as “of great importance,” noting it will allow both sides to comprehensively discuss the extensive agenda of Russian-Indian relations, covering political, trade, economic, scientific, technological, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation. This will be Putin’s first visit to India since 2021, with the leaders last meeting in September 2025 in Tianjin, China, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, where they reviewed collaboration in economic, financial, and energy sectors, and discussed regional issues including Ukraine.
Against this backdrop, India and Russia continue to maintain a robust and evolving defence partnership. Over decades, what began as a simple buyer-seller relationship has transformed into joint research, development, and production of advanced military technologies, forming a key pillar of their strategic engagement.
As documented in Indo Soviet Treaty 1971 -The roots of this partnership trace back to August 9, 1971, when India and the Soviet Union signed the Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Cooperation — a landmark document that aligned the strategic interests of both nations during the 1971 India-Pakistan war and reinforced India’s strategic autonomy. This early framework laid the foundation for long-term defence cooperation.
The evolving relationship was formally consolidated with the Declaration on the India–Russia Strategic Partnership in October 2000 during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India. A decade later, in December 2010, the partnership was elevated to a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” during another visit by President Putin, underscoring the deep trust and shared strategic interests between the two countries. Over the years, this partnership has steadily broadened in scope, spanning politics, security, trade, the economy, science and technology, as well as cultural cooperation.
The India–Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC), established in 2000, oversees the entire spectrum of military-technical collaboration. The Defence Ministers of both countries meet annually, alternating between India and Russia, to review ongoing projects and strategic priorities. The 21st session, held in Moscow from December 8–10, 2024, was co-chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov. During this visit, Rajnath Singh also called on President Vladimir Putin, while INS Tushil was commissioned into the Indian Navy at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad.
Building on this momentum, Rajnath Singh and Andrei Belousov will co-chair the 22nd meeting of the IRIGC on Military and Military Technical Cooperation in New Delhi on December 4. According to the Defence Ministry, the meeting will review the full range of defence ties, assess ongoing projects under military and military-technical cooperation, and discuss key regional and global issues where India and Russia share strategic interests.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India–Russia defence ties have now moved well beyond traditional buyer–seller arrangements. The two countries now jointly produce T-90 tanks, Su-30MKI aircraft, MiG-29K aircraft, Kamov-31 helicopters, and upgrade MiG-29 jets. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile stands out as a flagship joint platform. Under the Make in India initiative, the joint venture Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) has also begun producing AK-203 rifles domestically.
Joint military exercises further cement operational interoperability. The INDRA Tri-Service exercises showcase coordinated readiness across the armed forces. INDRA 2025, held from March 28 to April 2, 2025, featured a Harbour phase in Chennai and a Sea phase in the Bay of Bengal, with Russian ships Pechanga, Rezkiy, and Aldar Tsydenzhapov participating alongside Indian ships Rana and Kuthar, and P8I maritime patrol aircraft.
Naval cooperation also thrives through mutual visits and international events. In July 2024, India sent the stealth frigate INS Tabar to St Petersburg for the 328th Russia Navy Day celebrations. Russian ships Varyag and Marshal Shaposhnikov participated in MILAN 2024 in India. Indian contingents also joined the International Army Games in August 2022 and Exercise Vostok in September 2022, while Avia Indra is scheduled for 2023.
Through institutionalised dialogues, joint projects, and regular exercises, the growing synergy between India and Russia ties strengthens operational readiness and deepens strategic trust.
Over decades, India-Russia defence cooperation has matured into a comprehensive strategic partnership, blending historical legacy, advanced military collaboration, and a shared commitment to regional and global security—an agenda set to gain renewed momentum with President Putin’s upcoming visit.
