Russian President Vladimir Putin's plane landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on the evening of 4/12. President Putin's state visit to India, taking place on 4-5/12, marks the first time the Russian leader has visited the South Asian nation in four years.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood on the red carpet awaiting the plane, then walked to the aircraft steps to greet the Russian leader. The two leaders embraced and exchanged greetings without any interpreters or assistants present, before departing the airport together in a car.

Prime Minister Modi welcomed President Putin at the aircraft steps on the evening of 4/12. Video: RT India

Russian officials stated they had received no notification from India regarding Prime Minister Modi's presence at the airport. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov praised the Indian Prime Minister's welcome as an "unexpectedly warm gesture".

Local reporters also noted that Prime Minister Modi's direct welcome at the aircraft steps was an unusual departure from standard diplomatic protocol. A guard of honor was not present at the airport, but would be arranged for the official welcoming ceremony on 5/12.

Prime Minister Modi later shared several photographs with the Russian President. "Very pleased to welcome my friend, President Putin, to India. India-Russia friendship has stood the test of time and yielded immense benefits for our people," he wrote.

Prime Minister Modi and President Putin at Indira Gandhi International Airport on the evening of 4/12. Photo: X/NarendraModi

During President Putin's visit to India, the two sides are expected to discuss cooperation across various sectors.

In defense, India and Russia will negotiate plans for co-producing su-57 stealth fighters, along with major projects such as acquiring additional su-30mki fighter jets, s-400 and s-500 long-range air defense systems, and verba man-portable air-defense systems. India also intends to purchase over 300 r-37 air-to-air missiles with a range exceeding 200 km.

Economically, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Kremlin Maxim Oreshkin stated that the two nations aim to increase bilateral trade turnover to 100 billion USD by 2030. Russia seeks to import more goods and services from India to balance the trade deficit, as the proportion of Indian goods in Russia currently does not exceed 2%.

Thanh Danh (According to RT, India Today, Reuters)