PM Modi Welcomed With Guard Of Honor In Moscow, Russian Army Plays ‘Jana Gana Mana’

PM Modi was welcomed at Vnukovo-2 International Airport in Russia's capital Moscow.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Russia after a five-year gap. He was greeted at Moscow’s Vnukovo-2 International Airport with a guard of honor. On his arrival, he was welcomed by Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister, Denis Manturov. Notably, Manturov holds a higher rank than the Deputy Prime Minister, who had welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Russia.

After Prime Minister Modi exited the plane, the Russian Army performed the Indian national anthem to welcome him.

Manturov also accompanied PM Modi from the airport to his hotel. Later, PM Modi is scheduled to have a private dinner with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Indian Foreign Ministry has announced that PM Modi will participate in the 22nd India-Russia Annual Conference in Moscow. This marks his first visit to Russia since the Russia-Ukraine war, with his last visit being in 2019. PM Modi and President Putin last met in 2022 during the SCO Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

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PM Modi’s Ties with Russia

Experts note that the India-Russia relationship has deep roots, which Prime Minister Modi has strengthened since his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat. His initial visit to Russia was on November 6, 2001, when he traveled to Moscow with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the India-Russia summit talks with President Vladimir Putin. Over the years, Modi and Putin have met multiple times on various global platforms, reinforcing their long-standing relationship.

Kavya Bhatt