Putin, Russia's leader, plans to travel to India in December.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's visits to India and China are set to strengthen the long-standing ties between the nations, which date back to the Soviet era. The visits, scheduled for December and later in August 2025, come amidst ongoing economic and political developments.

Billions of dollars continue to flow into Russia's coffers due to its oil exports to India and China, with energy exports remaining a key source of income for Russia's state budget. This influx of revenue has been a result of the redirection of Russian oil sales following the full-scale invasion in February 2022, as Ukrainian allies sought to choke Russia's export earnings.

India has defended its oil imports from Russia, stating they were necessary after traditional supplies were diverted to Europe following the conflict's start. The United States, however, has imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods in response to New Delhi's increased imports of Russian oil, as part of Washington's campaign to squeeze Moscow's revenues.

Moscow has been one of India's top arms suppliers for a long time, and the upcoming meetings are expected to discuss the preparation for Putin's December visit, as well as potential arms deals. Putin will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a regional summit in China on Monday.

Putin's foreign travel has been drastically curtailed since the invasion, but he is scheduled to visit China in late August to early September 2025 for a four-day working visit, including participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin starting August 31. After attending the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok through September 6, 2025, Putin will visit the Samara region in Russia to discuss engine development and meet with local officials.

There are speculations about Putin's attendance at events like the 2026 World Cup, but no confirmed travel plans beyond 2025 have been announced. Notably, India is not a party to the International Criminal Court and is therefore not obliged to detain Putin, despite the warrant issued for his arrest by the ICC.

These visits and meetings underscore the enduring relationship between Russia and India, which continues to thrive despite geopolitical tensions and economic sanctions. The future of this relationship will likely shape the regional and global landscape in the years to come.