Russian President Vladimir Putin and PM Narendra Modi
NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin, in India for a two-day visit to attend the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, is set for a packed schedule on Friday, the final day of his trip.Also Read | Putin’s India visit: From private dinner with PM Modi to Rajghat visit — what’s on the itinerary Putin arrived in Delhi on Thursday evening for his first visit to India since December 2021. Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke protocol to personally receive him at Palam airport, after which the two leaders drove together to the PM’s residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg for a private dinner.
Putin India visit schedule
Vladimir Putin in India: What’s on agenda for day 2?Putin, on his first visit to India since the Ukraine conflict began in February 2022, will begin the day at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu will receive him with a ceremonial welcome. He will then proceed to Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.Also Read | Putin in India: ‘Defence ties to deepen despite US, EU oppn’ At 11 am, PM Modi and President Putin will convene at Hyderabad House for the annual bilateral summit, with talks to be held in a restricted format. Key issues likely to feature in the discussions include:
- Sale of additional Russian S-400s: The long-range air-defence missiles, which proved critical during India’s four-day confrontation with Pakistan in May, are expected to be on the agenda.
- Acquisition of Su-57s: Moscow is likely to raise the prospect of New Delhi acquiring the fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter, which the Kremlin touts as “the best plane in the world.”
- Civil nuclear cooperation: Both sides may explore new agreements to deepen collaboration in nuclear energy.
- Broad sectoral cooperation: A series of agreements covering trade, economic partnership, cultural exchanges, and academic collaboration are also being prepared.
- Ukraine war: The ongoing conflict, now in its fourth year, is also expected to come up in the talks, especially in light of Donald Trump’s return to the White House earlier this year and his renewed push to bring the war to an end.
Overall, up to 10 intergovernmental documents and more than 15 agreements and memorandums between commercial and non-commercial entities are expected to be signed during Putin’s visit.Also Read | Russian President’s visit turns parts of city into a fortressThe Russian president is also slated to address the India–Russia Business Forum and take part in the launch event for RT TV’s India operations.After dinner at Rashtrapati Bhavan, he will depart for Moscow around 9:30 pm.(With ANI inputs)