At a high-profile session titled “Russia–India Trusted Partners,” held just days before Vladimir Putin’s December 2025 visit to India, Vasily Pushkov declared that Russians perceive India as “probably the only country” without negative associations. He emphasized that Russians today view India’s image as firmly established
During the same session, business representatives and diplomats highlighted that, despite global turbulence, the India–Russia partnership has seen rising trade numbers and increasing areas of cooperation across technology, energy, and media.
With Putin’s arrival in New Delhi for the bilateral summit on December 4–5, such strong public sentiment may play a soft-power role. A pro-India tilt in Russian media and public discourse — as voiced by figures like Pushkov could help ease bilateral negotiations and shape a narrative of mutual trust and respect.
Still, some experts warn that with growing global pressure on Russia, and shifting geopolitical dynamics, maintaining this “positive image” may require sustained diplomacy and pragmatic cooperation from both sides.
