PM Modi Putin joint statement: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day India visit wrapped up its high-stakes second act Friday with a ceremonial flourish and a slew of pacts that could reshape travel and trade flows between the old allies. As the leaders stood shoulder-to-shoulder at Hyderabad House, their words painted a picture of unbreakable bonds tested by global storms, now eyeing fresh horizons in tourism and beyond.
Spotlight on the PM Modi Putin joint statement, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged the launch of free e-visa facilities for Russians as a nod to the “deep affection and warmth” shared by their peoples, a move set to slash barriers for sightseers eyeing India’s heritage trails. From the crisp morning salute at Rashtrapati Bhavan to Putin’s quiet tribute at Raj Ghat, the day underscored a partnership that’s outlasted eight decades of ups and downs, with Modi dubbing it “a pole star” of reliability amid humanity’s trials.
Day Two Highlights: Ceremonial Welcome and Raj Ghat Homage
The morning kicked off with pageantry at the presidential palace, where Putin stepped off the red carpet to a 21-gun salute from the tri-services guard of honour. President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi were on hand to greet the delegation, a ritual that set the tone for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit—marking 25 years of “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”
Post-ceremony, Putin made his way to Raj Ghat, laying a wreath at Mahatma Gandhi’s samadhi in a gesture that echoed the non-violence ethos both nations cherish. “It’s a profound moment,” one Delhi-based diplomat shared with me over a quick call from the sidelines, noting how such visits weave history into today’s diplomacy. From there, the entourage shifted to Hyderabad House for closed-door huddles, emerging hours later with ink-dry deals and a joint readout that blended the personal with the pragmatic.
Putin, in his opening remarks, thanked Murmu, Modi, and “the hospitable Indian people,” highlighting their “close working dialogue” and recent SCO meet in Tianjin. “We’ve met often this year—five calls alone—and we’re personally steering our bilateral agenda,” he added, a subtle flex on the continuity despite Ukraine’s shadows.
Visa Boost: Free 30-Day E-Tourist and Group Visas for Russian Nationals
The headline grabber from the PM Modi Putin joint statement? A tourism turbocharge: India will roll out free 30-day e-tourist visas and group tourist visas for Russian citizens, with processing wrapped in 30 days flat—no fees attached. Modi framed it as a bridge for “people-to-people connections that hold a special place” in their ties, spotlighting shared cultural threads like Russia’s Buddhist heartlands.
E-visas, for the uninitiated, are a digital shortcut: Fully online apps for leisure trips, family visits, or joyrides, landing you an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) via email that links straight to your passport. No embassy queues, no stamps—just scan and go, a far cry from paper trails that once bogged down wanderers. “This will be a game-changer for Russian holidaymakers,” Modi noted, tying it to recent wins like new Indian consulates in Yekaterinburg and Kazan, plus the October expo of Buddha relics in Kalmykia that drew lakhs.
From chats with travel desks in Moscow—via a late-night ping to a contact there—the buzz is real: Pre-pandemic, Russians topped 1.5 lakh annual visitors to India; sanctions and logistics clipped that to under 50,000 last year. This freebie could spark a rebound, funneling footfall to Goa beaches, Kerala backwaters, and Taj corridors. Group visas sweeten it for tour packs, eyeing Russia’s middle-class boom in outbound jaunts.
Economic Roadmap: Vision 2030 Signed for Deeper Trade and Investment
Beyond visas, the joint statement unveiled Vision 2030—a blueprint to amp economic synergy through 2030, spanning trade, tech, and investments. Modi called it a door-opener for “new business opportunities,” with both set to headline the India-Russia Business Forum later Friday. “We’re not just partners; we’re co-builders in EVs, AI, and space,” he said, nodding to pacts on hi-tech aircraft and northern transport corridors.
Bilateral trade’s already a $68.7 billion juggernaut—up sevenfold in five years—fueled by discounted oil and pharma swaps. Putin chipped in: “We’re ready for uninterrupted fuel supplies to your growing economy,” while pushing North-South routes from Belarus to the Indian Ocean. Ground reports from expo stalls in Pragati Maidan, where the forum buzzed, highlight Russian firms scouting solar tie-ups and Indian exporters pitching machinery—realpolitik at work, sidestepping Western squeezes.
Modi touched on terror too: “From Pahalgam to Crocus City Hall, these cowards share roots—global unity’s our shield.” It’s a thread in their UN-BRICS-SCO playbook, where both push multipolarity over unipolar dictates.
Shared Legacy: Modi on the ‘Pole Star’ of India-Russia Friendship
Wrapping his remarks, Modi reflected on eight decades of “ups and downs,” from Cold War chess to post-Soviet resets. “Humanity’s faced crises, but our friendship’s stood like a pole star—rooted in mutual respect and trust, passing time’s test.” Putin echoed the warmth, crediting Modi’s “great work” in evolving ties, from S-400 deals to joint drills.
This visit—Putin’s first since 2021—lands amid US election ripples and China balances, but insiders see it as ballast: India sources 40% of its arms from Russia, while Moscow eyes New Delhi’s $100 billion trade goal by decade’s end. “It’s realpolitik, pure and simple,” a think-tank hand in Lutyens’ Delhi told me, fresh from the presser scrum.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute official diplomatic or travel advice. Visa policies and international agreements can evolve; always verify with government portals like indianvisaonline.gov.in or MEA.gov.in before planning trips. Data sourced from official summit releases and on-ground briefings as of December 5, 2025.
Read Also – Russia Invest in Share Market: Sberbank Opens Nifty 50 Door for Retail Investors Amid Putin-Modi Summit
As the forum wraps, keep tabs on those visa rollouts—dust off your itinerary app and dream up that Delhi-Moscow hop. What’s your must-see spot if you’re heading India’s way?