From CM To PM: The 25-Year Bond Between Narendra Modi And Vladimir Putin

Last Updated:December 04, 2025, 6:01 PM IST

Under the Modi-Putin era, the partnership has demonstrated its continuity and expansion despite significant global geopolitical shifts

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s arrival in New Delhi on Thursday for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit highlights not just the resilience of the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” between the two nations but the remarkable personal rapport that has evolved between him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over nearly a quarter of a century.

The roots of this long-standing relationship trace back to the year 2001, when Modi, then the newly appointed Chief Minister of Gujarat, accompanied then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his official state visit to Moscow. Photographs from that trip, which have resurfaced online, capture the Chief Minister alongside the towering figures of Vajpayee and Putin during official ceremonies.

During that foundational 2001 visit, Modi was not merely an observer. He actively engaged in bilateral initiatives, notably signing a protocol for cooperation between the state of Gujarat and the Russian province of Astrakhan. This early diplomatic groundwork, focused on areas like petrochemicals, hydrocarbons, and trade, laid a subnational foundation that would later feed into the broader strategic cooperation framework when Modi assumed the country’s highest office. Narendra Modi has often reminisced about the interaction, recalling how President Putin received him warmly despite his state-level position, engaging in candid discussions that helped forge a sense of mutual respect.

The relationship gained significant momentum after 2014, when Narendra Modi became Prime Minister. Since then, the two leaders have maintained frequent high-level engagement through the institutionalised Annual Summit system. The strategic partnership, established in 2000, was elevated in 2010 to a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership”, a term that underscores the depth of their collaboration across defence, energy, and diplomacy.

Under the Modi-Putin era, the partnership has demonstrated its continuity and expansion despite significant global geopolitical shifts, notably the Western sanctions imposed on Russia following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. India’s decision to increase its import of discounted Russian crude oil has provided a crucial lifeline to Moscow, while New Delhi has steadfastly refused to condemn Russia’s actions in international forums, choosing instead to focus on the need for dialogue and diplomacy—a policy decision underpinned by their consistent personal relationship.

The current visit, the first by President Putin since December 2021, is set to further deepen ties beyond traditional areas. While defence deals, including the completion of the S-400 Triumf missile system delivery, remain central, discussions are also targeting significant expansion in non-traditional areas like agricultural products, IT services, and civil nuclear cooperation, with ambitious trade targets set for the coming decade. The long personal history between the two leaders is arguably the single most important factor ensuring the durability and stability of the India-Russia relationship against a complex global backdrop.

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