Russian President Vladimir Putin received a ceremonial welcome and tri-services Guard of Honour at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday. He was welcomed by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
After the national anthems of both countries were played, Putin inspected the Guard of Honour. The Russian President is on a two-day State visit to India at the invitation of PM Modi.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Delhi LG V. K. Saxena, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and other senior dignitaries were also present during the ceremony.
President Murmu and President Putin also introduced members of their respective delegations. The Russian delegation included Defence Minister Andrey Belousov and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
Four years after their last in-person meeting in New Delhi, PM Modi and President Putin are set to hold bilateral talks later today. Putin arrived in the capital on Thursday, where PM Modi broke protocol to receive him at the airport.
The Prime Minister welcomed Putin with a warm embrace on the tarmac. In a post on X, PM Modi described the India–Russia friendship as “time-tested” and expressed delight at hosting the Russian leader after four years. The two leaders then travelled together to the Prime Minister’s Lok Kalyan Marg residence, where PM Modi presented Putin with a copy of the Bhagavad Gita.
“Delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin, to India… India–Russia friendship is a time-tested one that has greatly benefitted our people,” said PM Modi.
During his visit, Putin will also participate in the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit with PM Modi, attend an India–Russia business forum, and launch the RT channel in India. A state banquet hosted by President Murmu is scheduled for later in the evening. Putin is expected to depart the country tonight.
(ANI)
