Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched the RT India news channel during a two-day state visit to India.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke protocol to meet the Russian leader, whom he calls his friend, personally upon his arrival on Thursday.
Putin had a private dinner with Modi upon arrival before the two leaders held delegation-level talks on Friday, signing multiple agreements on economic cooperation on the sidelines of the India-Russia investment forum.
The visit is also thought to have included discussions on collaboration in the defense and space sectors, as well as talks on the joint production of Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jets.
Following the agreement signing ceremony Putin officially launched RT India before departing for the residence of the Indian president.
[After 2 hectic and historic days we will close down the Live Updates. But the entries below provide a good sense of the intensity and color of President Putin's visit.]
05 December 2025
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has escorted Putin to his presidential jet at the airport.
On Thursday, Putin was personally greeted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who broke protocol to welcome the Russian leader.
Putin has joined Indian President Murmu for a banquet to close his 2-day state visit.
Putin has left the launch reception in order to attend a banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Indian president's residence, before concluding the state visit and departing later tonight.
RT has deployed AI to re-tell how the Russia-India relationship was built over decades of solidarity.
“A lot of time has passed and India has changed dramatically... but what is left is friendship and mutual interest,” Putin has said.
The Indian Foreign Ministry has released a list of outcomes from Putin’s historic state visit.
RT is “significantly different from the Western propaganda machine,” Putin said.
“RT first and foremost strives to communicate to its viewers truthful information about Russia and about what is happening around the globe.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has congratulated the RT team behind the launch and the channel.
The launch of the new channel marks a natural step in the development of bilateral relations and represents another major milestone for RT, an official release stated.
The event’s slogan echoed the message of RT’s large-scale advertising campaign in India – “A New Voice from an Old Friend” and “The dialogue between our countries has been going on for decades. We’ve simply turned up the volume.”
The channel will be based in Delhi and feature a fully functioning broadcast newsroom, and full teams of producers and reporters.
Putin is officially launching RT India with RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan.
Putin arrives for launch ceremony of RT India.
India and Russia can achieve $100 billion in bilateral trade earlier than 2030 - Modi
India is pursuing an independent sovereign policy under PM Modi’s leadership and, it attains great results in the economy, Putin has said at the India-Russia Business Forum.
Putin has said the Russian delegation is in India “not only to talk [about] energy, but is seeking “multifacated relations” in various sectors. Putin’s comment prompts a chuckle from Modi at the India-Russia Business Forum.
Russia’s Uralchem JSC and three Indian fertilizer companies – Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd, National Fertilizers Ltd, and Indian Potash Ltd – will set up 1.8-2 million ton urea plant in Russia.
Key takeaways from the summit between PM Modi and President Putin:
▪️Russia and India are working on a free trade zone between India, Russia, and the EAEU.
▪️Russia and India will soon establish a 30-day visa-free regime for tourist groups.
▪️An economic cooperation program lasting until 2030 has been signed.
▪️Russia will continue to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies to India.
▪️A major pharmaceutical plant will be built in Russia’s Kaluga Region in collaboration with India. The facility will produce high-quality anti-cancer drugs.
▪️Russia will support India during its chairmanship of BRICS.
▪️Russia offers small nuclear reactors to India.
▪️ The countries will also collaborate in shipbuilding.
Putin’s visit to India will help boost economic cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi, Economic Development Minister Maksim Reshetnikov has told RT.
The minister acknowledged that there is currently a significant trade imbalance between the two states, but highlighted several areas where Russian imports of Indian goods could increase — including pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, engineering goods, and electronics.
In case you have just joined us, here is the latest on President Vladimir Putin’s India visit. Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have made a joint statement after talks between the two sides. Putin hailed nuclear cooperation between the countries, and said the India-Russia strategic relationship is a privilege for both leaders. Modi has lauded the friendship between the countries as a relationship that has withstood the test of time. The leaders are now slated to address the India-Russia Business Forum. Putin is also scheduled to make a visit to RT India’s English channel, which begins broadcasting in India today.
Russia is ready to deepen space cooperation with India and has “no limits” on sharing technology, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov has said.
Manturov told RT that Moscow, which previously trained Indian astronauts, is prepared to provide equipment from spacesuits to spaceflight seats, support links between GLONASS and India’s NavIC, and explore joint crewed missions.
New Delhi and Moscow have partnered in the space sector since the early 1960s. In 1984, Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to travel to space aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft. Russia is also working with India on its upcoming human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan.
Dmitri Peskov, Russian presidential spokesperson has said: “I would like sincerely to congratulate RT team, magnificent RT team and the viewers of RT for launching your broadcasting in India. Well, actually, you have started to broadcast in the biggest democracy of the world. Sometimes it’s better to lose a right to broadcast in a small democracy, so-called democracies, and to launch, to broadcast in the biggest one. Stick to the biggest one. Be the best”.
Profound ties: The world has been through ups and downs, but friendship between Russia and India has stood strong.
The Putin-Modi joint signing ceremony has ended, and the two leaders will make their way to the India-Russia Business Forum, where they will address attendees from both countries who have been networking and building partnerships for two days now.
The imminent launch of RT in India will contribute to knowledge and understanding between the two countries, Putin has said.
Putin has hailed nuclear cooperation with India. Russia’s Rosatom is working on multiple nuclear power plants in India. It’s worth noting that Putin pointed out in an interview yesterday that the US is among Rosatom’s international clients for nuclear reactor fuel.
Putin has immediately hailed the strength of his personal relationship with Modi. India-Russia partnership a privilege to them both, an all conversations have been very constructive.
Putin is now addressing he room, responding to Modi, opening with thanks to the Indian president and prime minister. Watch the feed live here
Modi: the economic development cooperation program we have signed today will run until 2030.
Putin and Modi are overseeing the joint signing ceremony of a number of bilateral agreements - you can see the ceremony live here
In case you’re just joining us, here’s what has happened so far today;
President Vladimir Putin paid homage at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial. Putin was given a Guard of Honor later at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace.
Indian President Droupadi Murmu, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the Russian delegation, and both sides were introduced to the leaders.
Modi and Putin then headed for a summit, where the leaders are expected to make a joint statement very soon (one of our correspondents tells us the Russian delegation is in place).
Russia plans to launch aircraft production in India, according to Deputy PM Denis Manturov, who is among the extensive Russian delegation in the Indian capital. Watch this space for a detailed interview soon.
RT correspondent Igor Zhdanov gives exclusive insights into the Putin-Modi summit.
“It is a matter of happiness that my acquaintance with you is more than 25 years old,” Modi has told Putin.
“We regularly exchange opinions on Ukraine, and you tell me exactly what’s happening, testifying to the great partnership between our countries,” Modi has told Putin.
“Our relations are deeply rooted in history – but it’s not words that matter; it’s the substance, which is profound,” Putin has told Modi.
“We plan to move forward in a range of areas,” Putin has told Modi, adding that this “underscores the level of trust in our relationship.”
President Putin thanks Prime Minister Modi for “friendly and substantial talks” on Thursday evening. The leaders had a conversation for nearly three hours at Modi’s residence.
Modi and Putin are meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, where talks between the two sides will be held.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed the guestbook at Rajghat after laying a wreath and paying tribute at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi.
He wrote: “One of the founders of modern India, the great philosopher and humanitarian Mahatma Gandhi contributed immensely to world peace. His ideas about freedom, goodness, and humanity have not lost their relevance nowadays as well.”
Defense cooperation is set to feature on the agenda of talks during Putin’s visit. For an in-depth look at Russian-Indian defense ties, retired Indian Air Marshall Anil Chopra has written an exclusive piece for RT to mark Putin’s visit to New Delhi.
According to Chopra, “expectations are high.” Discussions are set to focus on Su-57 fighter jet collaboration, S-400 deliveries and possible S-500 cooperation, as well as joint production of Su-30MKI aircraft and T-90 tanks, and upgrades to the BrahMos missile program.
“It could mean the beginning of a new era of co-development rather than a traditional buyer-seller arrangement,” Chopra writes.
You can read the full article here.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan has some other special guests on the premises for the Modi-Putin meeting.
Putin, Modi, and President Murmu have posed for a photo.
Putin is introducing the Russian delegation to Indian President Droupadi Murmu.
President Droupadi Murmu introduces Indian leaders to Putin.
Putin is inspecting a Guard of Honor outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Putin has arrived at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he is being welcomed by President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi.
Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has arrived at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Modi arrives at the Rashtrapati Bhavan (presidential palace) to meet with Putin. This time though, they’re in separate cars.
The Russia-India summit is about to begin.
Indian troops await the imminent arrival of Modi and Putin outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan (presidential palace)
Here is a sneak peek at RT India's new studio in Delhi
Modi has gifted Putin a Russian edition of the Hindu holy book Bhagawad Geeta.
RT's Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan has pointed out that on the day President Putin arrived in India, #PutinInIndia topped trending lists on X.
04 December 2025
A nearly 5-meter-tall Matryoshka (traditional Russian nesting doll) art installation that resembles an RT studio has been set up in New Delhi to mark the launch of RT’s broadcasting in India. The installation stands in Cyberhub, Gurugram, a major business district that hosts the headquarters of leading international and Indian IT companies.
The official launch ceremony is scheduled for Friday and will be held in the presence of President Putin and RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan.
The US has no right to dictate India where it can buy energy resources, Putin has told India Today. He noted that the US itself buys Russian nuclear fuel.
“The United States itself still buys nuclear fuel from us for its own nuclear power plants. That is also fuel – uranium for the reactors operating in the United States. If the US has the right to buy our fuel, why shouldn't India have the same privilege?”
Moscow and its partners such as India are striving to find solutions to existing issues and conflicts, to look for the most effective ways to resolve them, Putin told India Today.
“In large alliances like BRICS, or the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, we share a common understanding that we have common values rooted in our traditional beliefs, which underpin our civilizations such as India's civilization for already hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Drawing on this heritage of the past, we work together instead of suppressing opportunities.”
Putin has called India one of Russia’s “closest friends,” alongside with China. “We treasure that relationship deeply,” the president told India Today.
Putin has said he does not want to single out individuals responsible for the collapse of the USSR, telling India Today that the Soviet system had proven “not viable.” Instead of looking for culprits, he argued, “we need to think how to create a system that will not simply protect itself but develop.”
“If such a system is in place, it would be self-sufficient, autonomous and effective,” he said.
Putin dismissed any idea of restoring the Soviet Union, saying it is “not on the table” and that Russia has no such goal.
“It does not make sense in current circumstances because it would critically change the national and religious composition of the Russian Federation. It does not make sense,” he told India Today.
Watch as RT looks back at the key pillars that have been supporting the friendship between Moscow and New Delhi for decades.
The Russian president shared his own rule for life with India Today journalists ahead of his visit. He said he always seeks to do “not just what I consider necessary but what I have no right not to do.”
Modi has presented Putin with a copy of the Bhagavad Gita in Russian, the Indian prime minister has said on X. Often referred to as the Gita, it is one of the most important sacred Hindu texts that reflects on the relation and dialogue between an individual and God.
Watch the warm welcome the Russian president received upon his arrival in the Indian capital in an RT clip.
Putin and Modi are meeting at the Indian prime minister’s residence after starting their talks over an informal lunch. The two leaders have been speaking for about three hours. Earlier, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov told journalists that it would be a closed one-on-one session. “It’s at meetings like these that politics is done,” he said.
Russia did not start the Ukraine conflict, Putin has told India Today in an interview airing now. Moscow is seeking to end the conflict that broke out in the wake of the Western-backed Maidan coup in Kiev in 2014, he said. Prior to the escalation of hostilities in 2022, Russia spent eight years attempting to resolve the situation through peaceful means, he stressed.
“Our special military operation isn’t the start of a war, but rather an attempt to end one that the West ignited using Ukrainian nationalists.”
Read the full interview here.
The Kremlin has shared a video of Modi greeting Putin as he arrives at the former's residence.
Modi has welcomed Putin at his official residence, and posted a greeting message in English and Russian on X.
If you’re wondering what happened to those dancers we told you about earlier, it turns out they were given a warm round of applause by the two leaders
Modi tweets in Russian and says he’s happy to welcome “his friend President Putin” to India.
Putin and Modi arrive for dinner at the Indian PM’s residence
Footage of President Putin’s jet captured by a Delhi resident
Modi and Putin on their way to dinner
For some background reading on what to expect from Putin’s visit to India, RT has put together a handy explainer on all the main points likely to feature on the agenda.
From trade and defense cooperation to space and cultural ties, you can find out more here.
The Russian side did not expect Modi to break protocol and receive Putin at the airport, Kremlin spokesman Peskov has said.
Russia and India enjoy relationships “in most sensitive areas,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said on Putin’s visit to India.
The whereabouts of the cavalcade seems to be beyond the ken of local reporters, who noted that first Modi had broken protocol to greet Putin personally, that no guard of honor was noted upon the Russian president’s arrival, though it is apparently scheduled when official business begins tomorrow.
Modi welcomes Putin to India with a hug. No translators or aides accompanied the two leaders as they greeted each other on the red carpet. They climbed into a white car which drove across the airport canopy, accompanied by delegations and security.
Putin’s aircraft is taxiing at Delhi’s Palam Airport.
CONFIRMED: PM Modi has broken protocol to personally greet Putin upon the Russian president’s arrival in India
The Indian and Russian defense ministers have met in New Delhi ahead of Putin’s visit.
Indian dancers are set to welcome Vladimir Putin at New Delhi’s Palam Airport.
Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has invoked renowned Russian poet Rasul Gamzatov to describe the “shared prosperity” of India and Russia.
“For those who have a friend nearby, there are no distant lands. Mountains do not divide us. They only lift our gaze,” Goyal said at the India-Russia Business Forum, quoting the poet.
Russia’s First Deputy PM Denis Manturov meets with India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
They discussed enhancing interbank cooperation and expanding national currency payments.
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart, Andrey Belousov, have laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.
Putin aide Maksim Oreshkin has dropped a golden line to RT: “Sanctions are temporary, but a relationship is long-term,” he told our team at the Russia-India Business Forum.
Russian Economic Development Minister Maksim Reshetnikov has told Izvestia that visa-free travel with India would be a powerful growth engine. “We need to reach an agreement on group visa-free travel, most likely this is the main mechanism we are proposing to our colleagues,” he said.
Putin and Modi’s personal ties have been described as a “genuine friendship,” while their nations have enjoyed warm relations for decades.
Ahead of Putin’s visit to India, RT’s Isabella Blumberg looks back at ties down the years.
Media review: The Russian president has told India Today he lauds India’s “strategic autonomy.”
“The range of our cooperation with India is very huge. I’m not even talking about history of our relations because this history is of a unique nature,” Putin said.
Former Indian diplomat Rajiv Dogra has underscored the importance of President Putin’s visit to India. This visit “is unlike any normal heads of state meet - This is being watched carefully around the world,” he told RT India.
For some background reading on what to expect from Putin’s visit to India, RT has put together a handy explainer on all the main points likely to feature on the agenda.
From trade and defense cooperation to space and cultural ties, you can find out more here.
International settlements between Russia and India have doubled in a year, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has said. Speaking at the Indian launch of Russian retail bank VTB he noted that almost all deals are being carried out in national currencies.
Real-time flight tracking site Flightradar24 posted on X that President Putin’s flight is the most tracked aircraft now. Putin is scheduled to reach New Delhi later in the day.
The Russia-India Business Forum kicks off in New Delhi, with the main session titled ‘Sell in Russia: New Horizons for Indian Business.’
Participants include Maxim Oreshkin, deputy chief of staff to President Putin, and Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.
Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has arrived in the Indian capital.
Belousov and Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh are participating in the 22nd meeting of the Russian-Indian Inter-Ministerial Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation.
Hello, and welcome to RT’s special coverage of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day state visit to India. We’ll be bringing you regular updates on all the news from the visit, which will include meetings between Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and various talks between delegations from the two countries.
Issues such as trade and defense ties are set to feature high on the agenda as the two countries build on their strong existing relations.
Be sure to follow throughout Thursday and Friday for all you need to know about the historic visit.