Russian President Vladimir Putin’s top aide and Chairman of the Maritime Board of Russia, Nikolai Patrushev, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday as both sides reviewed ongoing preparations for the upcoming India–Russia Annual Summit scheduled for early December. The high-level visit marks an important step ahead of Putin’s much-anticipated trip to India, his first since 2021.

According to a statement shared on Telegram by the Russian Embassy in India, Patrushev and PM Modi discussed a wide range of bilateral cooperation issues, with a particular focus on maritime collaboration. Both sides highlighted their shared interest in deepening coordination to strengthen maritime capabilities, expand connectivity projects, and explore new opportunities in shipbuilding and blue economy initiatives. The discussions also covered the agenda and logistics for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit.

Earlier in the day, Patrushev paid homage to Indian Armed Forces personnel at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. He later visited the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, which documents India’s political and governance journey since independence, and signed the official guest book.

Putin is expected to visit India next month for the annual Summit, which coincides with the 25th anniversary of the India–Russia Declaration on Strategic Partnership. His last visit to New Delhi took place in December 2021.

The visit comes amid a series of high-level engagements between the two countries. On Monday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held talks in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, where both leaders focused on preparations for the Summit and reaffirmed their commitment to a “just, multipolar world order.” The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the two sides agreed to enhance coordination across major multilateral forums including the UN, SCO, BRICS, and the G20.

Last month, Prime Minister Modi and President Putin spoke over phone to review progress in the bilateral agenda. During the call, PM Modi conveyed birthday greetings to the Russian leader and reiterated India’s commitment to strengthening their long-standing strategic partnership. Modi also said he looked forward to welcoming Putin to India in December for the 23rd Annual Summit.

The two leaders also met in September on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin, where they discussed key regional and global developments, including the situation in Ukraine. PM Modi had said then that more than 1.40 crore Indians were “eagerly waiting” to welcome President Putin — a sentiment he described as reflecting the depth of the “special and privileged strategic partnership” shared by the two nations.