PM Modi gives surprise welcome to Putin with red-carpet reception and warm hug at Delhi airport

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday night began a nearly 27-hour visit to India, aimed at reinforcing a bilateral partnership that has endured for close to eight decades despite a turbulent global environment and geopolitical tensions. In a rare diplomatic gesture that underscores the strong ties between India and Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally received Putin at New Delhi's Palam airport with a hug and accorded him a warm welcome to India after a gap of four years, breaking the standard protocol.

Putin was welcomed with a cultural performance as he exited



the airport, after which the two leaders departed in the same car, sharing yet another "car moment." This comes nearly three months after Modi and Putin travelled together in a vehicle in China's Tianjin following the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.

 Expressing joy on President Putin’s arrival, in a post on X, the Prime Minister said, "Delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin, to India. Looking forward to our interactions later this evening and tomorrow. India-Russia friendship is a time-tested one that has greatly benefitted our people."