Russian President Vladimir Putin Lands in New Delhi: PM Modi Personally Welcomes Him at Palam Airbase

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening for a significant two-day state visit, marking his first trip to India since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed him at the Palam Airport, reflecting the importance of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. The warm reception underscores the enduring strategic partnership shared by the two nations, despite major geopolitical shifts in recent years.

Soon after the Russian leader’s arrival, PM Modi was scheduled to host an exclusive private dinner for Putin, setting the tone for a series of high-level discussions. The leaders will hold formal talks at Hyderabad House, where key bilateral agenda items—ranging from defence and energy to technology and trade—are expected to take centre stage. Officials indicate that both sides aim to expand cooperation in priority sectors, especially amid global supply-chain disruptions and shifting global alliances.

On Friday, December 5, Putin will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, followed by a visit to Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. The ceremonial engagements will lead into structured bilateral talks with PM Modi, after which the two leaders will issue a joint press statement. The public address is expected to outline new agreements and updated strategic priorities for the next phase of India-Russia relations.

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Following the talks, Putin and Modi will participate in a business forum organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). This business meet is seen as a significant platform to enhance trade and investment flows, with Russia looking to expand energy exports and India seeking stronger technology and manufacturing partnerships. Economic cooperation is one of the central themes of Putin’s visit, with both countries aiming to bolster bilateral trade beyond the current benchmarks.

President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet for the visiting Russian leader before his scheduled departure later on December 5. The banquet will include senior officials and dignitaries from both nations, symbolizing the ceremonial culmination of Putin’s tightly packed visit. His last visit to India was in December 2021, during the 21st Annual Summit, before the geopolitical landscape shifted dramatically due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Putin’s return to India during this critical period is being viewed globally as a strategic message, reaffirming Moscow’s continued commitment to its longstanding partnership with New Delhi. For India, the visit is an opportunity to recalibrate ties, secure long-term defence cooperation, and deepen economic engagement, while maintaining its policy of strategic autonomy amid intensifying global rivalries.

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