All about Delhi: Vladimir Putin's state visit has started in India
Vladimir Putin arrived on December 4 on a state visit to the Indian capital. The world has been waiting for this event for at least six months. The result will be dozens of new agreements, international projects, not to mention the strengthening of bilateral friendly relations. The trade turnover with India has grown to almost $70 billion in 2024, and in the future, 20-30 years, the parties are able to reach hundreds of billions of dollars annually. The Western media has already announced this visit, perhaps the most significant in the 21st century for Delhi. What even the Kremlin wasn't ready for upon arrival, and how India has changed in the 77 years since independence, is in the Izvestia article.
What a surprise awaited the Russian president at the beginning of his visit
The Russian President arrived in India on a state visit, the highest in terms of diplomatic status. It is intended to give a new impetus to relations between the countries, which can already be considered reference in many ways. In the late afternoon of December 4, the plane of the special flight detachment "Russia", on which the Russian leader is traveling, landed at the Palam air base of the Indian Air Force, one of the oldest airfields in the country. A red carpet was laid out in front of the ramp of the president's plane, along which a guard of honor lined up, and Indian dancers who performed a traditional welcome dance were also waiting for the head of state. For the host country, Vladimir Putin's visit will not just be another diplomatic reception, but a historic one and perhaps the most significant in the 21st century, foreign media believe.
Indian dancers greet Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrived in India on a state visit, at the Indian Air Force Base Palam
Prime Minister of the Republic of Narendra Modi personally met Vladimir Putin at the ramp - this is a rather rare diplomatic gesture. "Prime Minister Modi himself came to meet Putin. It was a decision that was made suddenly, we didn't know about it," presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
"I am glad to welcome my friend, President Putin, to Delhi. I look forward to our meetings tonight and tomorrow," the Indian Prime Minister wrote in Russian on his social media.
The meeting was very warm: the leaders were obviously happy to see each other again, they hugged and even patted each other on the back in a friendly way. The previous meeting between Putin and Modi is well remembered in the world community: at the SCO summit in China in September, the leaders talked for almost an hour in the Aurus of the Russian president. These shots clearly demonstrated how strong relations between Moscow and Delhi are. It is noteworthy that this time, upon arrival in New Delhi, Vladimir Putin got into a car with Modi - in the Indian prime minister's white SUV, instead of the Aurus waiting for him. In a conversation with the Indian media the day before, the president recalled the trip, which, according to him, was not even planned.
— You know, we discussed current issues, it wasn't planned, we went outside, my car came, — said the head of state. — We just sat down together as real friends.
The result of long—standing friendship and partnership is a two-way benefit. The trade turnover with India of $13 billion in 2021 increased to almost $70 billion in 2024. In the future, countries will be able to reach hundreds of billions of dollars annually in 20-30 years, said Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy head of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation. Moreover, Russia and India are working on economic cooperation, despite the sanctions pressure. Already 90% of settlements between the two countries are carried out in national currencies, the Russian president noted in an interview with an Indian TV channel the day before.
By the way, even before Vladimir Putin's arrival, work was in full swing in the Indian capital — the Russian-Indian business forum began in Delhi, which the president's program is scheduled only for December 5. Considerable agreements have already been reached. For example, Avtovaz spoke about its interest in cooperation with India in the field of automotive production, and Wildberries also has plans to develop trade between the two countries. In addition, the Russian Federation is ready to discuss the entry of Indian manufacturers of base communication stations into its market, said Maksut Shadaev, head of the Ministry of Finance. The Russian Ministry of Energy also expects that after the visit of our delegation to the country, we can expect the launch of visa-free group trips between Russia and India. As a result of the negotiations, it is planned to sign a dozen agreements.
On the same day in New Delhi, VTB CEO Andrey Kostin, accompanied by Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and Head of the Ministry of Economy Maxim Reshetnikov, opened a new flagship office: here, the ceremonial ribbon-cutting according to local traditions was not enough, they had to light an oil lamp for wealth and good luck.
How New Delhi prepared for Putin's visit
The Indian capital has prepared for the historic visit: the central streets have been cleared of debris (though by sweeping it into the bushes), and the road fences have been dusted. Traditionally, there are posters with a portrait of the Russian leader and the inscription: "Welcome His Excellency Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin" in the amount of about 200 pieces are hung not only on the way from the airport to the residence, but also on the main avenue of Delhi Kartavya Path, as well as dozens of other streets. There was no shortage of Russian flags, which were also placed on the central squares and at the main monuments like the famous "India Gate".
Local media also warmed up the audience to the arrival of the Russian leader. On December 4, all the leading Indian newspapers published reports about the upcoming visit of the Russian president. And India Today TV channel aired a long interview with Vladimir Putin.
Usually, the local population treats such historical events either indifferently or irritably (since this is always accompanied by problems with movement for residents), or does not know at all that the president of another country has come to them. But not this time: most of the passers-by willingly greeted the members of the delegation, easily recognizing people of Slavic appearance on the streets, offering all possible help. One could say that the heavy and most unexpected "artillery of hospitality" was used. It got to the point where locals, seeing timid attempts by guests from Moscow to cross the road in chaotic New Delhi, with a sense of full-fledged hosts, stopped the traffic flow in both lanes and helped to transfer a group of Russian journalists accustomed to strict traffic rules. And they gave me a dozen more recommendations as a gift.
— Remember, this is Delhi. You have to be careful and lucky when crossing the road. Aren't you with Putin? India and Russia are brothers forever. How do you like India? Look, go to the center and the market now. It's better for you to go to the center by rickshaw, remember: they will ask you for 100-200 rupees (85-170 rubles), but do not give more than 30! They see that you are tourists, so they ask for an exorbitant price," advised a local Indian, who decided, however, to negotiate the price himself for his guests from Russia.
Today, tourists are one of the few ways for poor locals to earn money. The fact is that India is a country where a significant percentage of people still live below the poverty line. In the summer of 2025, The Times of India reported that the authorities had managed to reduce this figure by almost five times, from 344 million to 75 million people. The obvious disadvantage is felt on the streets. Against this background, another contrast looks rather sad: India is home to some of the richest people on the planet. What can I say if in a restaurant where the privileged class goes, cappuccino costs 619 rupees, which is a little more than 500 rubles. At the same time, the path that India has taken after gaining its independence in just 77 years is colossal, Vladimir Putin told India Today reporters.
— You know, when we live in the current life, we don't really notice the changes that are happening right now before our eyes. And if you look back a little bit, then what happened in India is really interesting," the Russian leader explained.
At the same time, he recalled that life expectancy in India has more than doubled during this time.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
