The State Visit of Russian President H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin to New Delhi on December 4-5, 2025, for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, is not merely a routine diplomatic exchange; it represents a pivotal moment in global diplomacy. This summit, occurring against the backdrop of an intensely volatile geopolitical landscape marked by the lingering impacts of the Ukraine conflict, forces a comprehensive reassessment of the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.’ The core dynamic now defining this relationship is a sophisticated act of strategic balancing by India, leveraging Russia’s crucial, albeit redefined, military role against a mushrooming, energy-driven economic dependence.
The visit comes after a period where global alignments have hardened, Western sanctions against Moscow have intensified, and New Delhi has conspicuously diversified its defence procurement towards the West. Yet, far from collapsing, the India-Russia relationship has fundamentally altered its axis. This analysis dissects the shifting power dynamics across defence, trade, energy, and technology, projecting the most critical outcomes expected from the high-stakes discussions between President Putin and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
The Defence Paradigm
From monopolistic supplier to strategic niche partner for over half a century, India’s defence architecture was virtually synonymous with Russian (and Soviet) hardware. This deep military intimacy was fostered by a combination of Cold War alignment and Moscow’s willingness to transfer technology that Western nations either refused to share or made conditional. However, the data confirms this dominance is in structural decline.
1. Decline in Market Share
All the views and opinions expressed in are those of the author. Image Credit: Presidential Press and Information Office.
About the Author
Harshit Tokas holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). He completed Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Amity University.
