PUTIN LAUNCHES RT INDIA — RT NETWORK’S LATEST CHANNEL, DURING STATE VISIT WITH PM MODI

MOSCOW, DECEMBER 5, 2025 — RT India began broadcasting from its studios in New Delhi, India. Russian President Vladimir Putin and RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan jointly launched the new channel during the president’s state visit to the country on December 4-5. 

“This is a momentous event, for it [RT] grants millions of Indian citizens clearer, more direct access to insights about contemporary Russia,” Vladimir Putin said.

Commenting on RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan’s remarks that RT’s broadcasts are being shut down in many “ill-intentioned countries,” the Russian president stated: “This is not out of malice, it is out of fear, fear of the truth. Because Russia Today is a source of truthful and reliable information, focused on serving the interests of its viewers and listeners.”

He added: “Russia Today’s mission is not merely to promote Russia, its culture, and its positions on domestic and international issues. Above all, Russia Today strives to convey truthful information about our country and about what is happening in the world. This is the absolute value of Russia Today; this is what distinguishes it from the propaganda machinery of many Western media outlets, which essentially relay the positions of their governments.”

The channel’s launch took place during the official state visit of the Russian president to India.

“I am confident that Russia Today will do its job, and do it brilliantly, at the highest level. My congratulations to Russia Today and to all of your current and future viewers and listeners. Good luck,” stated Vladimir Putin.

During the launch ceremony, the president was presented with a virtual tour of the RT India studios.

As part of President Putin’s visit to India, an Addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding between RT and Indian public service broadcaster Prasar Bharati was signed, further expanding cooperation in the media sphere. The agreement includes the exchange of news content, expertise, and information, as well as the organization of joint live broadcasts covering breaking news, major summits, and high-level visits between the Russian Federation and the Republic of India. This marks a new phase in the partnership between RT and Prasar Bharati, strengthening not only media collaboration but also broader bilateral relations amid a complex international environment.

RT India will air four daily news bulletins alongside documentaries, interviews with government officials, business leaders, and cultural figures, as well as public affairs programming tailored to a broad Indian audience. The channel will prioritize in-depth coverage of key developments in Russian-Indian relations and the growing role of both nations in a multipolar world.

The channel’s flagship geopolitical talk show will be hosted by former Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid. Rungjun Sharma, the head of News at RT India, will present a weekly program dedicated to Russian-Indian relations. The Indian politician, diplomat, author, and chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, Dr. Shashi Tharoor, already hosts his own show on RT called ‘Imperial Receipts with Dr. Shashi Tharoor’.

In the run-up to the channel’s launch, RT has unveiled a nationwide ad blitz that celebrated the strength and legacy of the deep and historic ties between Russia and India. The campaign was visible across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai, taking over 65 prime locations and 190 digital screens and billboards nationwide.

The launch of a dedicated channel tailored specifically for the Indian audience will significantly expand RT’s footprint and viewership in the country. It also represents a landmark moment in relations between the two friendly nations. RT India will serve as a vital platform for highlighting the strategic nature of Russian-Indian cooperation, built over decades on mutual respect, trust, and open dialogue.

In 2026, RT also plans to launch a dedicated Hindi-language news website, catering to over 500 million Hindi speakers in India.