Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to his official residence on Thursday evening for an intimate private dinner, setting a warm tone ahead of Friday’s high-stakes India-Russia summit.
The residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg was illuminated with special lighting and lined with India-Russia flags as the two leaders arrived together.
Earlier, PM Modi received Putin at the airport in a rare personal gesture. Both leaders hugged warmly, exchanged greetings, and travelled in the same car, signalling the depth of their long-standing friendship.
They briefly stopped to watch a cultural performance prepared for the welcome ceremony before heading to the Prime Minister’s residence.
PM Modi expressed excitement about the visit, calling Putin ‘my friend’ and noting that the India-Russia friendship had consistently benefited both nations.
The private dinner mirrored the warmth Russian President Putin extended last year when he hosted PM Modi at his Novo-Ogaryovo residence in Moscow.
Warmth Before Talks
The visit comes as India and Russia prepare for the 23rd Annual Summit, which also marks 25 years since the declaration of their strategic partnership.
Leaders are expected to review the full spectrum of cooperation, including defence, energy, technology, trade, culture and joint global positions.
Both sides see the meeting as a chance to strengthen the ‘special and privileged strategic partnership’ that has defined the relationship for decades.
The Kremlin earlier emphasised the visit’s importance, stating that discussions would cover political cooperation, economic engagement, science and technology links, cultural exchanges and major regional and international issues.
India and Russia will adopt a joint statement after the formal talks and sign several intergovernmental and business agreements.
President Putin will receive a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday morning. After that, PM Modi will lead official talks at Hyderabad House, where both delegations will outline new avenues for cooperation.
The leaders will focus their discussions on defence collaboration, emerging technology, and trade expansion.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will also meet President Droupadi Murmu and pay homage at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial. These engagements reflect the ceremonial and symbolic significance of the State Visit.
The private dinner hosted by PM Modi has set an atmosphere of trust and personal warmth ahead of the summit.
As both leaders prepare for formal negotiations, the visit signals continuity, strategic depth and a reaffirmation of a partnership shaped by decades of political steadiness and mutual respect.
Also Read: PM Modi Welcomes ‘My Friend’ Putin As India-Russia Ties Enter High-Stakes New Phase
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