‘Delighted To Welcome My Friend’: PM Modi Hugs Putin At Delhi Airport | Watch

Last Updated:December 04, 2025, 10:09 pm IST

Putin’s India Visit: Vladimir Putin’s visit to India is expected to strengthen economic cooperation and unlock new opportunities for Indian businesses.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives Russian President Vladimir Putin at Delhi’s Palam Airport. (X)

Putin’s India Visit: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening for a two-day state visit to India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi set aside protocol to receive the Russian leader at Palam Airport.

The two leaders shook hands, shared a warm hug, and exchanged greetings.

After landing, the leaders departed in the same car, a Toyota Fortuner, for PM Modi’s residence for a private dinner. In September, Putin had offered a ride to PM Modi in his official car during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China.

The Prime Minister also shared photos welcoming his “friend” Putin and 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,” he said in a post on X.

PM Modi also shared photos welcoming the Russian leader at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.

He said, “Welcomed my friend, President Putin to 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.”

This is the first visit of the Russian President since the country was embroiled in the Russia-Ukraine war, giving the meeting significant geopolitical importance. Ahead of his arrival, Putin said he hopes to “take India-Russia ties to a new level.”

What’s The Itinerary?

Putin will be in India for around 30 hours. As per the itinerary, the visiting leader will have a packed itinerary on Friday. The day is expected to begin by visiting Rashtrapati Bhawan for a ceremonial reception at 11 AM, followed by a visit to Rajghat. From Rajghat, where he will spend 30 minutes, Putin will move to Hyderabad House. The Russian president will be there till lunch and then move to PM Modi’s residence for lunch at around 2 PM.

In the latter half of the day of Friday, the Russian President will attend a business event at 3:40 PM. The Russian President will also inaugurate a new India-based channel of the Russian state broadcaster.

After a brief break, he will depart for Rashtrapati Bhavan to arrive at 7 PM for the ceremonial engagements and a meeting with the President of India. The Russian President is scheduled to depart at 9 PM, bringing the tightly packed visit close to its conclusion.

Putin’s visit came at a moment when India-US ties have entered “the most strained period in two decades”. Washington recently imposed a 50% tariff on a range of Indian goods and a 25% additional levy directly linked to India’s procurement of Russian oil.

What’s Expected From This Visit?

Putin’s visit to India is expected to strengthen economic cooperation and unlock new opportunities for Indian businesses, government sources said ahead of his arrival. Putin is travelling with a large delegation of business representatives.

The sources added that discussions will take place to increase Indian exports to Russia, including pharmaceuticals, automobiles, agricultural and marine products.

Multiple agreements and MoUs are expected to be signed during Putin’s visit to India. “More co-operation also to be seen in the people-to-people relations, mobility partnerships, culture and scientific collaboration,” the sources added.

Key focus areas include shipping, healthcare, fertilisers, and connectivity, which are essential to sustaining the increased trade volume.

India’s exports to Russia stood at $4.9 billion in 2024-25, while imports were $63.8 billion in the last fiscal year, leaving a trade deficit of about $59 billion. The two sides have fixed a target of $100 billion bilateral trade by 2030.

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