Russian President Vladimir Putin touched down in New Delhi on Thursday for a two-day state visit, where he was warmly received at Palam Airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The two leaders shared a brief interaction on the tarmac before getting into the same car to head directly to the Prime Minister’s residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.
Modi is expected to host a private dinner for Putin this evening, setting the stage for the 23rd India–Russia summit scheduled for Friday.
This rare gesture of the Prime Minister receiving a visiting head of state at the airport underscores the importance of the bilateral relationship.
Notably, Modi has broken this protocol only for a select few global leaders in the past, including those from Qatar, the UAE, the US, Bangladesh and France.
