Russian Aircraft Make Historic Noida Airport Debut Ahead Of India's BRICS Summit

Three Russian transport aircraft landed at Noida International Airport for the first time on Thursday as India prepares to host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The arrival of the Russian aircraft comes ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the national capital for the high-level multilateral gathering and underlines the logistical preparations being made for the summit. The three aircraft arrived at Noida International Airport amid preparations for the arrival of foreign leaders and their delegations.

The airport, which has been expanding its role as an aviation hub in the National Capital Region, handled the Russian transport aircraft for the first time. Their arrival is part of the arrangements being made to support the movement of personnel and equipment ahead of the BRICS Summit, which is expected to bring together leaders from major emerging economies. Putin is scheduled to visit New Delhi for the BRICS Summit and is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, ahead of the main multilateral event.

The meeting is expected to focus primarily on bilateral issues, including trade and economic cooperation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the meeting had been scheduled while speaking to reporters during a virtual briefing from Moscow, according to news agency ANI. Peskov said Modi and Putin were expected to discuss the bilateral agenda during their meeting. He specifically highlighted trade and economic cooperation as areas likely to feature in the discussions, describing the scope of the bilateral relationship as broad.

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The meeting will provide the two leaders with an opportunity to review India-Russia ties at a time when both countries continue to maintain close engagement on economic and strategic issues. The BRICS Summit will also see Prime Minister Modi hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday, according to the information provided. Xi's visit to India will mark his first trip to the country in seven years, adding significance to the diplomatic engagements surrounding the summit.

The presence of leaders from Russia and China in New Delhi is expected to make the gathering an important occasion for discussions on bilateral and wider global issues. The landing of the three Russian transport aircraft at Noida International Airport is therefore among the visible signs of preparations under way for the BRICS Summit. With Putin scheduled to arrive in New Delhi and bilateral meetings planned with Modi, attention will remain focused on the diplomatic engagements taking place alongside the multilateral gathering. The summit is set to bring together leaders and delegations while India hosts the 18th edition of the BRICS meeting.

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