Russian state-backed news network RT has launched a dedicated India channel, RT India, timed to coincide with President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to New Delhi for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The service, broadcasting from studios in the Indian capital, was formally unveiled by Putin alongside RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simony.
RT India will initially offer four daily news bulletins, documentaries and interviews with political, business and cultural figures. In a familiar RT formula, former Indian foreign minister Salman Khurshid is fronting the flagship geopolitical talk show, while RT India news chief Rungjun Sharma will host a weekly programme on bilateral ties. RT also plans to launch a dedicated Hindi-language news website in 2026, expanding beyond the predominantly English-language TV line-up.
As part of Putin’s visit, RT signed an addendum to its Memorandum of Understanding with Indian public broadcaster Prasar Bharati, expanding cooperation on news content exchange, joint live coverage of major events and high-level visits, and wider expertise-sharing. Distribution details for RT India on Indian TV and streaming platforms have not yet been disclosed.
The launch comes against the backdrop of Western sanctions and bans on RT in the EU and UK, where regulators and governments have labelled the outlet a Kremlin propaganda arm. In India, the Modi government sees Putin’s visit as a reaffirmation of a “special and privileged strategic partnership”, even as it faces domestic criticism over Russia’s war in Ukraine and foreign pressure on its continued purchases of Russian oil. European and US officials are likely to view RT India as part of Moscow’s wider push to build media influence in the Global South and to challenge Western news brands already present in the Indian market.
