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Putin launches RT India Kremlin-funded RT Network's India arm with 100-member team

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 05 Dec 2025, 08:29 am

New Delhi : Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday unveiled the India arm of the state-backed Russian Television Network (RT), during his first visit to the country since the start of the Ukraine war.

The launch of RT India, described as the network’s most ambitious overseas expansion, is being positioned as a fresh push to strengthen India-Russia relations.

The inauguration was conducted from a temporary studio set up inside a luxury hotel in New Delhi.

RT India’s editorial vision

According to an official statement, RT India will initially air four English-language programmes each day.

The new outlet aims to reinforce strategic ties between New Delhi and Moscow while amplifying what it calls the “growing influence” of both countries in an increasingly multipolar world.

A full-fledged studio is expected to be established in the National Capital Region, supported by a team of more than 100 staff members.

RT India is being touted as the largest international project undertaken by the Russia Today network.

The expansion comes at a time when RT remains banned in the European Union, a restriction imposed shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Launched in 2005, the Moscow-based broadcaster was created to reshape global perceptions of Russia.

Its India chapter will operate under the tagline: “Not Anti-Western… Just Not Western.”

Discussed at high-level talks

The initiative was also highlighted during the 26th session of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission held in Moscow, where Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov briefed External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar about the new media venture.

Manturov’s office described RT India’s launch as a major step in deepening cooperation not only in trade and defence but also in information and media engagement.

Manturov said the channel would provide comprehensive coverage of Russian-Indian developments and offer an “objective reflection” of the expanding global roles of both nations.

Licensing and approvals

RT is already accessible on Indian cable networks and maintains a content-sharing agreement with Prasar Bharati.

Officials from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry clarified that an additional operating licence was not required because of its existing footprint in the country.

However, the process for uplinking and downlinking the new programming required formal clearances from the Ministry of External Affairs, the Home Ministry, and the I&B Ministry.