Putin lands in India, Modi greets him with a warm hug as the world watches

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) – Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India on a two-day state visit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed him at the airport. The two leaders embraced and greeted each other warmly at the airport. They then left the airport in the same vehicle.

During the welcome ceremony, Russian President Putin also watched and appreciated a cultural performance at the airport. Banners have been put up at various places in New Delhi to welcome Russian President Putin, reflecting the important diplomatic relationship. Prime Minister Modi will host a dinner for Putin at his residence, reminiscent of the hospitality extended by the Russian President to Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Moscow last year. This is Putin's first visit to India since Russia's war with Ukraine began in 2022.

The 23rd India-Russia annual summit, scheduled for Friday, comes at a time when the US has increased tariffs on India. The summit will focus on strengthening defense cooperation, as well as discussions on trade and energy partnership. Before the formal meeting at Hyderabad House on Friday, the Russian President will receive a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Putin will also lay a wreath at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial. Ahead of the visit, Russian President's aide Yuri Ushakov described the upcoming dinner meeting between Putin and Prime Minister Modi as "one of the key points of the Russian leader's visit," Russian state news agency TASS reported.

During this visit, Putin will discuss important issues such as bilateral relations and the international situation with Prime Minister Modi. He said that there will be talks between the two leaders. During Putin's visit to India, key aspects of trade and economic cooperation will be discussed and several agreements will be signed. According to Ushakov, the two heads of state will discuss ways to increase economic cooperation between India and Russia by 2030.

Several other agreements are also expected to be signed, including one related to facilitating the movement of Indian workers to Russia. The two governments may also discuss India's proposed free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, which New Delhi is pursuing to enhance strategic and economic cooperation.

Following the summit with Prime Minister Modi, President Putin will attend a state banquet hosted by President Draupadi Murmu. He will inaugurate the India office of Russia's state broadcaster RT. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that this official visit will provide an opportunity for the leaders of India and Russia to review their bilateral relations. It will also provide an opportunity to further strengthen the special and strong strategic partnership between the two countries and to exchange views on regional and global issues of importance to both.

Russia has long been a trusted partner of India. India-Russia relations are an important part of India's foreign policy. Since the signing of the "India-Russia Strategic Partnership Declaration" in October 2000, relations between the two countries have reached new heights. The two countries have now drawn closer in almost all areas, including politics, security, defense, trade, economy, science and technology, culture, and people-to-people cooperation.