Russian President Vladimir Putin Lands in Delhi, PM Narendra Modi Greets Him at Palam Airport

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening where Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally greeted him at the Palam airport.

The visit marks Putin's return to India after more than four years and comes as the two leaders prepare for the 23rd Annual India Russia Summit. Putin's two day trip is also his first to India since the conflict in Ukraine began.

Warm Reception at Palam Airport

Putin stepped off his aircraft at around 6:35 pm and was welcomed by PM Modi who accompanied him on the tarmac. The two leaders exchanged greetings before heading to the scheduled engagements lined up for the evening. Later tonight, PM Modi will host the Russian President for a private dinner which is seen as a reciprocal gesture to the hospitality extended by Putin during the Prime Minister's visit to Moscow in July last year.

The leaders have maintained regular communication this year with five phone conversations in 2025. They last met in person on September 1 on the sidelines of the SCO Heads of State Council Meeting in Tianjin, China.

Key Bilateral Events Scheduled on Friday

The formal summit will begin on Friday morning with a ceremonial welcome for the Russian President at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This will be followed by structured bilateral discussions and a working lunch at Hyderabad House which traditionally hosts India's highest level diplomatic meetings.

Before these engagements, Putin will visit Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. The gesture is expected to hold symbolic significance as both nations emphasize historical ties and shared global responsibilities.

Launch of New Content Platform by Russian Broadcaster

During the day, the Russian President will also inaugurate a new India based channel of the Russian state broadcaster. The launch aims to expand Russia's media footprint in India and enhance cultural and informational exchanges between the two nations.

Banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan and Departure

In the evening, President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet in Putin's honour. This will be the final event before the Russian leader concludes his visit. He is expected to depart from Delhi around 9 pm on Friday, bringing an end to a closely watched diplomatic engagement that signals renewed momentum in India Russia ties.