‘A personal touch’: Modi’s surprise airport welcome for Putin leaves Russian delegation impressed

The two leaders shook hands, exchanged a brief hug, and shared greetings before driving out of the airport together in the Toyota Fortuner that PM Modi regularly uses.

According to Russia’s state-owned agency Sputnik, the gesture came as a surprise to the visiting delegation.

The Indian side had not informed Moscow that PM Modi would himself be present at the airport, a move described as a break from standard protocol and a sign of the personal rapport between the two leaders.

The BJP echoed this sentiment on X, highlighting the “notable departure” from usual practice.

Putin’s arrival marks the start of his participation in the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, scheduled for Friday.

On the eve of the talks, PM Modi is hosting a private dinner for the Russian President at his official residence, though details of the meeting have not been made public.

This is not the first time the two leaders have shared an informal moment on the sidelines of a major diplomatic engagement.

During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China in September, Putin had offered Modi a ride in his official car. This image underscored their personal chemistry amid shifting global dynamics.

The upcoming summit will focus heavily on strengthening trade and economic cooperation. Senior officials at the Ministry of External Affairs noted that India is pushing to reduce the trade imbalance by increasing exports of marine products, agricultural goods, processed foods, consumer items, and pharmaceuticals to Russia.

Meanwhile, New Delhi continues to depend significantly on Russian fertilisers, typically importing three to five million tonnes annually, and is seeking deeper collaboration in this sector.

Putin’s visit comes at a time when bilateral trade has grown substantially, and both nations are aiming to build on that momentum during the high-level talks on Tuesday.