Russian President Vladimir Putin Thursday arrived at Palam Air Force Station in Delhi for the 23rd India–Russia Summit.
Putin was recieved at Palam airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who broke protocol to welcome the Russian leader at the airport.
The two leaders exchanged a handshake and hugged each other.
Putin ditched his limousine car and shared the ride with Modi as both leaders departed from the Palam airport in a white Toyota SUV.
#WATCH | Russian President Vladimir Putin lands in Delhi; Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives him at the airport
President Putin is on a two-day State visit to India. He will hold the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit with PM Narendra Modi in Delhi on December 5 pic.x.com/yB76u5aovS
— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2025
PM Modi hosts dinner for Putin at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg
Prime Minister Modi hotsed a dinner for Russian Predient Putin at his 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence in Delhi.
Prime Minister of India’s official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, was fully decked-up for President Putin’s visit.
PM Modi shared images of Putin’s visit to his residence on X.
Welcomed my friend, President Putin to 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.m/KremlinRussia_E?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@KremlinRussia_E pic.x.com/2L7AZ1WIph
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 4, 2025
Modi welcomes ‘friend’ Putin, hails time-tested India-Russia friendship
Prime Minister Modi has posted images of his meeting with Putin upon his arrival in India. In a post on X, Modi said he was pleased to welcome his “friend” President Putin to Delhi and look forward to their meetings over the next 24 overs.
“I am pleased to welcome my friend—President Putin—to Delhi. I look forward to our meetings this evening and tomorrow,” Modi said in Russian.
He further added, “The friendship between India and Russia has been tested by time; it has brought immense benefits to our peoples.”
Why is Putin in India?
Putin is in India on a two-day visit to attend the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. Several other engagements are also lined up for the Russian President who is visiting India for the first time after the start of the Ukraine conflict in 2022.
During his 30-hour stay in India, Putin is scheduled to hold high-level talks with Prime Minister Modi, attend the annual bilateral summit, meet business leaders, and participate in a series of engagements expected to yield key agreements.
Both sides are also expected to announce major agreements across defence, nuclear energy, technology, trade, space, and strategic cooperation.
Also Read | Putin’s India visit schedule: Timings, meetings and events for the two-day trip