Inside Putin’s 27-Hour India Visit: PM Modi Talks, Raj Ghat Tribute, Key Highlights

Inside Putin’s 27-Hour India Visit: Meetings With PM Modi, Raj Ghat Tributes, and Strategic Talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening for a tightly scheduled 27-hour official visit, his first to India in four years and since the onset of the Ukraine conflict. Upon landing at around 6:30 pm, he headed directly to the Prime Minister’s residence for a one-on-one dinner with PM Modi, expected to conclude by 8:30 pm, before retiring to his hotel for the night.

Friday’s agenda is packed, beginning with a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan at 11 am, followed by a 30-minute visit to Raj Ghat. He will then attend engagements at Hyderabad House before joining PM Modi for lunch at 2 pm, preceded by a press statement.

In the afternoon, Putin will participate in a business event from 3:40 to 4:20 pm, return to his hotel briefly, and later head to Rashtrapati Bhavan at 7 pm for ceremonial activities and a meeting with India’s President. The visit concludes with his departure at 9 pm.

This visit underscores the India-Russia “special and privileged strategic partnership.” For New Delhi, it is an opportunity to balance strategic autonomy while securing critical defence supplies, crude oil, and fertilisers. For Moscow, it offers a chance to strengthen economic ties and reaffirm its long-term relationship with India.

According to the Kremlin, the partnership is “rooted in trust and continuity,” with Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noting Russia’s longstanding support for India through key phases of nation-building. This visit also marks the 23rd edition of the India-Russia annual summit mechanism, reinforcing momentum even amid global turbulence.