New Delhi, Dec 4 (NationPress) Following a special gesture at the airport, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin as he stepped onto the tarmac. Modi expressed his excitement for the upcoming discussions with the Russian leader later in the evening and on Friday.

"Thrilled to welcome my friend, President Putin, to India. Anticipating our discussions later today and tomorrow. The India-Russia friendship is a robust bond that has significantly benefited our nations," PM Modi shared on X alongside images with Putin.

The two leaders embraced and exchanged pleasantries before departing the airport together, marking the commencement of Putin's State Visit to India.

They also enjoyed a cultural performance as part of the welcoming festivities.

New Delhi has displayed numerous banners in honor of the Russian President, symbolizing the start of a crucial diplomatic engagement.

In the evening, PM Modi will host Putin for a private dinner at his residence, a reciprocation of the hospitality shown by Putin during Modi's visit to Moscow last year. This visit marks Putin's first trip to India since the onset of Russia's conflict with Ukraine in 2022.

The 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, scheduled for Friday, arrives at a time when the US has enacted sanctions against New Delhi, focusing on enhancing defense cooperation, as well as discussions on trade and energy partnerships.

On Friday, the Russian President will receive a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan before formal talks at the Hyderabad House. Putin will also pay homage at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial.

Leading up to the visit, Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov described the forthcoming dinner meeting between Putin and Modi as a key highlight of the Russian leader's visit, according to reports from Russian state media TASS. Ushakov noted that significant bilateral and global matters would be on the agenda.

He mentioned that Putin will engage in both narrow and expanded discussions with PM Modi, covering vital aspects of trade and economic collaboration, with multiple agreements expected to be signed during his visit. India and Russia aim to finalize a program for the advancement of strategic economic cooperation through 2030.

The visit is anticipated to result in various agreements, including one to facilitate the migration of Indian workers to Russia. The two governments may also discuss India's proposed free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, which New Delhi is pursuing to bolster strategic and economic ties.

After his summit with PM Modi, President Putin will participate in a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. He is also slated to unveil the new India channel of RT, indicating an expansion of media outreach and soft-power initiatives.

The State Visit, as stated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), will allow the leaders of India and Russia to evaluate the progress of their bilateral relations, establish a vision for enhancing the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’, and exchange insights on regional and global issues of shared interest.

Russia has consistently been a long-standing partner for India. The evolution of India-Russia relations has been a cornerstone of India's foreign policy. Since the signing of the “Declaration on the India-Russia Strategic Partnership” in October 2000, the relationship between the two nations has developed a qualitatively new character, exhibiting increased cooperation across various sectors, including politics, security, defense, trade, economy, science and technology, culture, and people-to-people connections.