Putin Received by PM Modi in ‘Special Gesture’; Trade Forum Highlights Push for Balanced India–Russia Commerce : Vikram Misri

By A Staff Reporter

New Delhi: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Friday outlined the key moments and diplomatic nuances of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing state visit to India, describing several events as reflective of the “special and trusted” nature of the India–Russia partnership. Addressing a special briefing, Misri highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally received Putin at the airport—a gesture rarely extended to visiting leaders.

“In a very special gesture, President Putin was received on arrival yesterday evening at the airport by the Prime Minister himself,” Misri said. He noted that Modi and Putin then travelled together to the Prime Minister’s official residence, where the Indian leader hosted the Russian President for an informal dinner. “Over dinner, there was a frank and candid exchange of views between the two leaders on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues,” he added.

The formal engagements began Friday morning with a ceremonial Guard of Honour welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Putin also visited Raj Ghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, a customary stop for visiting heads of state.

Misri said the two leaders then jointly participated in the India–Russia Trade Forum held earlier in the day, which brought together major business stakeholders from both countries. “The focus of the forum was on the shared ambition of both leaders to expand the economic dimension of our bilateral partnership by increasing our bilateral trade in a balanced and sustainable manner,” he said.

He underscored that India aims to boost its exports to Russia, strengthen industrial cooperation and create new investment linkages as part of a broader push to rebalance trade. The Trade Forum, he said, reflected the growing urgency to diversify economic cooperation beyond traditional sectors, even as geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve.