Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday evening welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence for a private engagement. PM Modi arrived in Moscow earlier on Monday on a two-day official visit to Russia, where he will hold the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit with President Putin.
PM Modi is also scheduled to have a private meeting and dinner with Putin later in the day.
Prime Minister Modi, who boarded a flight from Delhi at 10.30 am on Monday, arrived at the Vnukovo-II International Airport in Moscow at 5.10 pm. The prime minister is in Moscow from July 8 to 9 at the invitation of President Putin for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit.
According to a report in News18, Putin congratulated the Indian prime minister on his re-election when he met him over tea at his Novo-Ogaryovo residence.
“You have great energy and you are doing good for India. I congratulate on your re-election for third time. This is because of your work. You have devoted your whole life for public service,” Russian President Putin reportedly told Modi.
After his arrival at the Moscow airport, Prime Minister Modi received a Guard of Honour by the Russian soldiers.
PM Modi was received by the First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. In a rare gesture, the first Deputy PM accompanied PM Modi to the hotel from the airport in the same car. Manturov is senior to the Deputy PM, who received Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Russia.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Landed in Moscow. Looking forward to further deepening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between our nations, especially in futuristic areas of cooperation. Stronger ties between our nations will greatly benefit our people."
Modi was greeted members of the Indian diaspora as he arrived at the The Carlton Hotel in the Russian capital. Meanwhile, Russian artists were spotted dancing to Hindi songs.
He also met children and interacted with the members of the Indian diaspora, who were gathered at the Hotel.
This is PM Modi's first visit to Russia since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The two leaders will review the entire range of multifaceted relations between the two countries and exchange views on contemporary regional and global issues of mutual interest, the Ministry of External Affairs earlier said.
On Tuesday, Modi will co-chair the 22nd India-Russia annual summit with President Putin, interact with the members of the Indian community and visit the Rosatom pavilion at an exhibition.
He is also scheduled to lay a wreath at the 'Tomb of the Unknown Soldier'. The focus of the 22nd India-Russia annual summit is likely to be boosting bilateral cooperation in the areas of energy, security, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.
Meanwhile, the Ukraine conflict is set to figure in the discussions. In the talks, PM Modi is expected to urge the Russian side to end recruitment of Indians as support staff to the Russian military and ensure the return of those still operating in the force.