In this image posted on Dec. 4, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin travel in a car to 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, following the latter’s arrival in New Delhi.
| Photo Credit:
@narendramodi/X via PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin travelled in the same car as they departed from the Palam Technical Airport in Delhi.
Putin is on a two-day State visit to India. He will hold the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit with PM Narendra Modi in Delhi on December 5.
In a rare diplomatic gesture that underscores the strong ties between India and Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Russian President Vladimir Putin at Delhi Airport on Thursday, breaking with standard protocol.
Symbolic gesture again
This gesture highlights the strategic partnership and close relationship between the two leaders. Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India on Thursday for a 2-day state visit.
This gesture was a warm reminder when both leaders shared a car ride to the venue of the bilateral meet in the Russian President’s Aurus Senat at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, on September 1.
Russian President Vladimir Putin waited for about 10 minutes for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to join him for the drive.
Ceremony and context
As Putin landed in India, he received a ceremonial welcome upon arrival, highlighting the strong ties between India and Russia. Putin’s visit to India highlights Russia’s efforts to maintain global influence despite Western isolation.
Strategic implications
The visit underscores India’s strategic balancing act in global politics, strengthening ties with Russia while navigating relationships with the West. Key discussions may include the Ukraine conflict, Afghanistan, and expanding the India-Russia Strategic Partnership.
Putin’s first India visit since 2021, since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, will see a renewed focus on boosting trade, defence cooperation, and energy partnerships. Delhi and Moscow are expected to sign a number of deals during the visit, which comes months after the US increased pressure on India to stop buying Russian oil.
He is scheduled to have a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday and will lay a wreath at Rajghat.
Published on December 4, 2025