New Delhi, December 5 — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his personal attention to the Ukraine crisis and said Moscow is working with the United States to explore routes toward a possible peaceful settlement as talks continue.
Speaking at a bilateral meeting on the opening day of his two-day state visit, Putin described India‑Russia ties as long-standing and substantive. He said Russia and the US are engaged in efforts to find a peaceful outcome in Ukraine and expressed appreciation for Modi’s involvement in seeking solutions.
Putin emphasized that the partnership between India and Russia is grounded in history and mutual trust rather than rhetoric, and he welcomed Modi’s hands-on role in deepening cooperation. He listed key areas for expanded collaboration, including artificial intelligence, aircraft development, advanced technologies, military-technical cooperation, and space exploration.
The remarks came as the two leaders attended the 23rd India‑Russia Annual Summit, convened to review the full spectrum of bilateral ties and to map a path forward. This is Putin’s first visit to India in four years.
Earlier in the day, Putin paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, laying a wreath and signing the visitors’ book; he was accompanied to the memorial by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh. He was also formally received at Rashtrapati Bhavan by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi, with the forecourt ceremony featuring the Indian and Russian national anthems.
Putin arrived Thursday, and Prime Minister Modi broke with protocol to greet him on the tarmac, embracing him. The two leaders later shared a car ride to the Prime Minister’s residence on Lok Kalyan Marg, where Modi presented Putin with a copy of the Bhagavad Gita.
According to TASS, the one-on-one meeting between Putin and Modi on Thursday lasted more than two and a half hours.
