On December 4 in New Delhi, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived for his first visit to India since 2022; newly‑wedded Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a rare, on‑stage welcome that cameras captured.
Putin’s First Visit to India Since 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in New Delhi on Thursday, 4 December, marking his first trip to India since the full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Modi Delivers Rare Applause at Airport
Narendra Modi stood on the airport’s deck to greet Putin, a gesture described by Reuters as uncommon because foreign leaders are usually welcomed by senior ministers, not the prime minister himself. Cameras recorded the moment, and Bloomberg posted the footage online.
Modi’s Statement on Indo‑Russian Friendship
On X, Modi announced, “I warmly welcome my friend President Putin to India. I look forward to our talks tonight and tomorrow. The Indian‑Russian friendship is tested and has brought tremendous benefits to our peoples.”
Modi Addresses Ukraine War, Calls India Not Neutral
Speaking on the sidelines of the visit, Modi said India was not neutral in the conflict; India’s stance is for peace. “We support all efforts for peace and every peace initiative,” he added.
Putin Highlights Expanded Cooperation
Putin thanked Modi for efforts toward resolving the Ukraine conflict and spoke about future relations. He said the growing economies of both countries open new areas of cooperation—advanced technology, aviation, space and AI—that would advance military‑technical collaboration.
