On Thursday evening, Vladimir Putin was warmly welcomed at the New Delhi airport by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. For the Russian president, this is the first visit to India since 2021. It will last until December 5. Modi and Putin are scheduled to discuss, among other things: defense issues and announce agreements to facilitate trade and the flow of workers from India to Russia.
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How long will Putin's visit to India last?
Who greeted Putin at the airport?
What topics will be discussed during the meeting?
What is 'limousine diplomacy'?
A surprising move by Vladimir Putin. He's done this in the past
After Putin left the plane, the leaders first shook hands and then embraced. They also exchanged a few words. They then got into the same car – a white Toyota SUV. The Kremlin's TASS agency points out that an Aurus limousine was waiting for Putin at the airport.
The New York Times points out that this is a repetition of Putin's “limousine diplomacy”. He behaved similarly during his September meeting with Modi in China.
The leaders of Russia and India went straight to dinner from the airport. Official talks will take place on Friday. The meeting is important not only for Moscow, but also for the hosts, who are in an economic dispute with Donald Trump's administration.
The Kremlin spokesman explained that when heads of state “talk about important issues, they do not have time for walks or car rides.” A similar situation occurred in Alaska, when Putin and Trump traveled in one limousine to the site of peace negotiations at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base..
