Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally received Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Delhi airport on Monday evening, greeting him with a handshake and a hug before the two left together in the same car.
Russia’s state-owned agency Sputnik reported that Modi’s decision to personally welcome Putin was unexpected and broke usual protocol, surprising the Russian delegation. According to the report, Moscow had not been informed that the Indian Prime Minister would come to the airport himself.
The BJP also noted on X that Modi’s gesture was a clear departure from regular practice, adding a personal touch to the visit.
Putin has arrived for a two day trip to take part in the 23rd India Russia Annual Summit, which will be held on Tuesday. The two leaders were expected to share a private dinner at the Prime Minister’s residence on Monday night, although no official details were released.
Modi and Putin left the airport in the Toyota Fortuner that the Prime Minister uses. Their car ride together comes months after Putin offered Modi a lift in his official vehicle during the SCO summit in China, a moment widely seen as symbolic at a time when the United States had announced tariff pressure on India’s oil trade with Russia.
Officials from the Ministry of External Affairs said that tomorrow’s talks will focus on strengthening trade and economic ties, an area where cooperation has grown significantly. India is pushing to increase its exports to Russia, including marine products, potatoes, pomegranates, processed foods, consumer goods, and pharmaceutical items.
India continues to depend heavily on Russian fertilisers, importing between three and five million tonnes each year, and is looking to expand this partnership even further.
