Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday personally received Russian President Vladimir Putin at Delhi’s Palam Airport, a rare diplomatic gesture that underscored the strength of India-Russia ties. Putin arrived for a two-day state visit, his first trip to India since 2021.
Reflecting the camaraderie seen at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin in September, the two leaders travelled together in the same car as they left the airport for 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, the official residence of PM Modi. At the Tianjin summit, Putin had waited nearly ten minutes for PM Modi before the two shared a ride to their bilateral meeting.
“Delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin to India. Looking forward to our interactions later this evening and tomorrow. India-Russia friendship is a time tested one that has greatly benefitted our people,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
Putin received a ceremonial welcome upon arrival. His visit comes at a sensitive geopolitical moment, with the United States continuing to pressure India to curb purchases of Russian oil amid the war in Ukraine.
On Friday, Putin and PM Modi will hold the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit at Hyderabad House. The Russian president will also receive a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, lay a wreath at Rajghat, attend a business event, and call on President Droupadi Murmu.
Delhi and Moscow are expected to sign several deals during Putin’s visit, which comes months after the US imposed a tariff of 50 percent on India for buying Russian oil.
Earlier, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov expressed confidence that the two countries are on track to achieve USD 100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, citing rapid growth and expanding cooperation.
