New Delhi, December 4: Russian President Vladimir Putin landed at Palam Airport this evening to begin a two-day state visit to India. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally received him on arrival, greeting him with a handshake and warm hug, underscoring the warmth and importance with which New Delhi views the visit.
In a gesture loaded with diplomatic symbolism, both leaders then climbed into the same official vehicle a rare moment of “car-pool diplomacy” and departed the airport together, signalling the closeness of India–Russia ties ahead of scheduled summit talks.
The visit marks the first time President Putin has come to India since the outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022. He arrives with a high-level delegation, including members of Russia’s defence and economic leadership.
During the visit, planned over two days, India and Russia are expected to discuss a broad agenda from defence cooperation and energy partnerships to trade, technological exchange and long-term strategic collaboration. Analysts view this visit as a reaffirmation of the robust, decades-long bilateral relationship between the two nations, at a time of shifting global alignments.
A private dinner organised by Prime Minister Modi on the evening of arrival is scheduled to further set the tone for the summit-level talks.
International observers are watching closely: the optics of Modi personally receiving Putin followed by the two riding together send a strong message about India’s intent to maintain and deepen its strategic partnership with Russia, notwithstanding contemporary global pressures and changing geopolitical dynamics.
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