Beyond Protocol: PM Modi Breaks Rules to Give Putin ‘Grand Welcome’ at Airport
Rare Diplomatic Gesture Underscores Enduring Strategic Partnership Ahead of Crucial 23rd Annual Summit
In a powerful demonstration of the deep personal and strategic bond between New Delhi and Moscow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally received Russian President Vladimir Putin upon his arrival at the Palam Technical Airport on Thursday evening. The act of the Prime Minister welcoming a head of state at the airport is a rare departure from standard Indian diplomatic protocol, which usually assigns the task to a Minister of State. This grand gesture, widely seen as a deliberate PM Modi Putin Protocol Break, sent an unmistakable message globally about the primacy India accords to its relationship with Russia, especially as the world watches the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.
A Diplomatic Hug and a Shared Ride
The warmth of the welcome was palpable. PM Modi greeted the Russian President with a signature warm hug amid traditional Indian cultural performances at the airport. However, the most symbolic move of the evening followed: the two leaders chose to travel together in the same car from the airport to the Prime Minister’s residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg for a private dinner.
This shared ride, a reciprocal gesture to similar hospitality extended by Putin to Modi during a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, symbolizes the highly trusted, personal nature of their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. The visual was immediately recognized by diplomats and media as the “money shot” of the visit, designed to underscore the strength of India-Russia ties, regardless of geopolitical pressures.
Geopolitical Context: Strategic Autonomy in Focus
The decision for the PM Modi Putin Protocol Break carries immense geopolitical weight. The visit marks President Putin’s first trip to India since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, a period where Western nations have sought to isolate Russia economically and politically. By extending this unparalleled personal welcome, India reasserts its policy of strategic autonomy, confirming its commitment to its long-standing partners while maintaining its balancing act with the West.
The two leaders are set to hold the 23rd Annual Summit talks on Friday, with the agenda dominated by high-stakes discussions on defence cooperation (including potential deals for advanced systems like the S-500), boosting bilateral trade toward the ambitious $100 billion target by 2030, and reviewing strategic cooperation in energy and space. The welcome itself laid the diplomatic groundwork, signaling that the talks will proceed with maximum trust and goodwill.