Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Moscow on Monday for a two-day visit, marking the beginning of the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit. The Prime Minister was greeted with a Guard of Honour at VNUKOVO-II International Airport and received by Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov.

In a rare gesture, Manturov accompanied PM Modi to his hotel in the same car. Upon arrival at The Carlton Hotel, PM Modi was met with an enthusiastic welcome from members of the Indian diaspora. Crowds waving Indian flags and chanting “Modi Modi” gathered outside the hotel, while artists in traditional Indian attire performed inside to greet the Prime Minister.

PM interacted warmly with the diaspora members, shaking hands and meeting with children who were eager to see him. The Prime Minister’s visit aims to further strengthen the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” between India and Russia, a relationship that spans over 77 years of diplomatic ties.

“Looking forward to further deepening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between our nations, especially in futuristic areas of cooperation,” PM Modi posted on social media platform X upon his arrival.

The visit’s agenda includes a private meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, delegation-level talks, and a luncheon hosted by President Putin. PM Modi will also visit an exhibition center in the VDNKH Complex and the Rosatom Pavilion, as well as participate in a document exchange ceremony.

This trip marks PM Modi’s first visit to Moscow in nine years, with the last Indian Prime Ministerial visit to the Russian capital occurring in 2015. The two leaders have met 16 times over the past decade, with their last in-person meeting taking place on the sidelines of the 2022 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Following his Russia visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to travel to Austria, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 40 years.

(Inputs from ANI)