Russian President Vladimir Putin is in India for a state visit aimed at boosting strategic and economic ties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed him at Delhi airport with a warm hug and handshake.
On Friday, Putin will visit Rashtrapati Bhavan for a guard of honour and meet President Droupadi Murmu. He will then go to Raj Ghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Later, Modi and Putin will meet at Hyderabad House for the 23rd India-Russia Summit. They will review defence, energy and skilled labour mobility, followed by a joint press statement.
Putin will also meet business leaders and attend a state banquet hosted by President Murmu. His delegation includes top officials and executives from major Russian defence and energy firms.
The visit marks 25 years of the India-Russia strategic partnership. It comes as India discusses a trade deal with the US to ease high tariffs linked to its Russian oil imports.
India is expected to seek faster delivery of two pending S-400 systems and upgrades for Su-30MKI jets. Talks may also cover joint defence projects, connectivity, shipping and fertilisers. Russia aims to expand bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030.
