Russian President Vladimir Putin’s second day in India’s capital, New Delhi, is marked by a series of significant official engagements, emphasizing the enduring India-Russia relationship. This visit is particularly notable as it occurs following the commencement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Putin’s Friday agenda is highly structured. At 11:00 AM, he will attend a ceremonial reception at the Presidential Palace. This will be followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at Rajghat at 11:30 AM, a moment dedicated to remembering Mahatma Gandhi. The highly anticipated summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled for 11:50 AM at Hyderabad House, with press statements to follow at 1:50 PM. The day’s engagements continue with a business interaction at 3:40 PM. A significant meeting with President Droupadi Murmu is set for 7:00 PM at Rashtrapati Bhavan, preceding his departure from New Delhi at 9:00 PM.
The 23rd annual summit aims to deepen collaboration across various sectors, with discussions expected to center on trade expansion, defense partnerships, and collective approaches to regional security challenges, reflecting the strategic importance of their bilateral ties.
Recapping the first day, Prime Minister Modi welcomed President Putin at the airport with a personal gesture, setting a cordial tone for the visit. The leaders were seen in amiable conversation during their joint journey to the Prime Minister’s residence for a dinner meeting.