Russian President Vladimir Putin received a ceremonial welcome in India on Friday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosting him in a display designed to highlight the deep and enduring ties between the two nations.
Putin arrived in New Delhi in a luxury state vehicle before being escorted to the forecourt of the presidential palace, where Modi and Indian President Droupadi Murmu greeted him. Video released by Modi’s office showed mounted guards leading the ceremony while a full honour guard parade was carried out in the Russian leader’s name.
The two countries used the high-profile visit to reaffirm their strategic partnership. During their talks, Modi and Putin committed to expanding cooperation across defence, trade, energy and major bilateral projects — areas that have formed the backbone of Indo-Russian relations for decades.
Modi praised Putin’s “leadership and strategic vision” following the signing of several new bilateral agreements. Speaking warmly about the relationship, the Indian leader said that while humanity has faced numerous global challenges in recent years, the ties between India and Russia “have remained like the North Star”.
Putin’s trip marks his first visit to India since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Despite Western sanctions and an International Criminal Court indictment against the Russian president, India has maintained close relations with Moscow — a partnership that dates back to the Soviet era. New Delhi has repeatedly defended its right to pursue an independent foreign policy amid geopolitical tensions.
The visit underscores that Russia continues to enjoy important diplomatic links in Asia, even as it faces international scrutiny over the war in Ukraine. For India, the relationship remains vital, particularly in areas such as defence procurement and energy security.
