New Delhi — Russian President Vladimir Putin received a formal state welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday, where he inspected the tri-services guard of honour after being received by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The national anthems of Russia and India were played as part of the ceremonial proceedings.
The two-day state visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, brought together senior Indian and Russian officials for the welcome. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and other dignitaries attended the ceremony. Russian members of the delegation included Defence Minister Andrey Belousov and presidential aide Dmitry Peskov. President Murmu and President Putin also introduced members of each delegation to one another.
Putin’s arrival in New Delhi on Thursday marked his first in-person visit to India since December 2021. Prime Minister Modi met him on the tarmac at Palam Airport, embracing the Russian president and later sharing a car ride with him to the Prime Minister’s Lok Kalyan Marg residence. During the meeting Modi presented Putin with a copy of the Bhagavad Gita.
The two leaders are scheduled to hold the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit during the visit. Putin is also expected to participate in an India-Russia business forum, be present for the launch of the RT channel in India, and attend a banquet hosted by President Murmu in his honour. He is slated to depart late on Friday evening.
This account is based on reports from the visit and official briefings.
