Leaders Make Great Show Of Friendship As Putin Arrives In India

NEW DELHI- Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a special gesture by personally receiving Russian President Vladimir Putin at the airport tarmac on December 4, marking the beginning of the Russian leader’s two-day State Visit to India.

The two leaders warmly hugged and greeted each other before leaving the airport together in the same vehicle, showcasing the time-tested bond of friendship and the camaraderie shared between them. They also briefly watched and applauded a cultural performance as part of the welcome ceremony. New Delhi has been lined with banners welcoming the Russian leader, marking the beginning of an engagement that carries significant diplomatic weight.

Later in the evening, the Prime Minister hosted President Putin for a private dinner at his official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, which was decked up with India-Russia flags and special lighting. This mirrored the gesture the Russian President made when he hosted Modi during the latter’s visit to Moscow last year. This marks Putin’s first trip to India since Russia’s war with Ukraine started in 2022.

The 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, scheduled for December 5, comes at a time when the US has imposed punitive sanctions on New Delhi. The formal talks, which mark the 25th anniversary of the declaration on strategic partnership, will focus on strengthening defense cooperation, along with discussions on trade and energy partnerships.

On December 5, the Russian President will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan ahead of the formal talks that will take place at the Hyderabad House. Putin will also lay a wreath at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial. Additionally, the Russian President will meet President Droupadi Murmu.

Key aspects of trade and economic cooperation will be discussed and several agreements are expected to be signed during Putin’s visit. According to Ushakov, India and Russia plan to sign a programme for the development of strategic areas of economic cooperation until 2030. The visit is also expected to yield an agreement to facilitate the movement of Indian workers to Russia. The two governments may also deliberate on India’s proposed free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, which New Delhi has been pursuing to enhance strategic and economic cooperation. A joint statement is expected to be adopted following the talks, along with a wide range of bilateral interdepartmental and business agreements.

Putin will attend a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu.He is also scheduled to launch the new India channel of Russia’s state-run broadcaster RT, signaling an expansion of media outreach and soft-power engagement.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the State Visit will provide an opportunity for the leadership of India and Russia to review progress in bilateral relations, set the vision for strengthening the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,’ and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. Russia has been a longstanding and time-tested partner for India. Development of India-Russia relations has been a key pillar of India’s foreign policy. Since the signing of the “Declaration on the India-Russia Strategic Partnership” in October 2000, ties between two nations have acquired a qualitatively new character with enhanced levels of cooperation in almost all sectors. (IANS)