A Russian-Indian summit is planned for later in 2025, according to Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister. This follows an invitation extended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russian President Vladimir Putin during Modi's visit to Moscow in October of last year. While the exact date of the summit remains unconfirmed, preparations and discussions are actively underway.

The upcoming summit underscores the continued strength of the "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership" between India and Russia. It takes place in a complex global environment, marked by strained India-U.S. relations following tariff hikes imposed by Washington on Indian imports. Russia has criticized these tariffs as "unjustified".

Ahead of the summit, there have been multiple high-level interactions between the two countries. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met with President Putin in the Kremlin. Furthermore, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to travel to Moscow.

Just recently, President Putin called Prime Minister Modi to brief him on his discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Modi conveyed India's "consistent position" on finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. Putin shared his assessment of the talks with Trump. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continued dialogue on the Ukrainian crisis and other pressing international issues.

The agenda for the summit is expected to cover key areas of cooperation, including defense and energy. These sectors have historically been strong pillars of the relationship between the two countries. In addition to these, discussions are likely to encompass a broader range of economic, political, and strategic issues.

The meeting also comes at a time when India has been engaging with other key global players on the issue of the Ukraine conflict. Prime Minister Modi recently had a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reiterating the need for Ukraine to be included in international dialogues concerning the country's future.

Despite the ongoing global challenges and geopolitical shifts, the planned Russian-Indian summit reaffirms the commitment of both nations to maintain close ties and work together on areas of mutual interest. The outcomes of the summit will be closely watched, as they have the potential to shape the trajectory of the India-Russia partnership and its role in the evolving international landscape.