News Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi set a distinctly personal tone for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 27-hour India visit on Thursday, gifting him a Russian-language edition of the Bhagavad Gita soon after his arrival in New Delhi.
Подарил Президенту Путину экземпляр Бхагавад-гиты на русском языке. Учения Гиты вдохновляют миллионы людей по всему миру.@KremlinRussia_E pic.twitter.com/vQWG75l5IE
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2025
Modi personally received Putin at Delhi’s Palam airport around 6:35 pm, greeting him with a warm hug before the two leaders drove together in the Prime Minister’s car. The gesture, not part of the formal protocol, was widely noted for underlining the closeness between the two leaders.
Later in the evening, Modi hosted Putin for an extended private dinner at his official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. The meeting, which lasted nearly three hours, added to the unusually cordial atmosphere surrounding the visit.
Delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin to India. Looking forward to our interactions later this evening and tomorrow. India-Russia friendship is a time tested one that has greatly benefitted our people.@KremlinRussia_E pic.twitter.com/L7IORzRfV9
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 4, 2025
Sharing photographs from the airport and the residence, PM Modi posted on X:
“Delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin to India… India-Russia friendship is a time-tested one that has greatly benefitted our people.”
He also wrote that the timeless teachings of the Gita continue to inspire millions across the world — a sentiment he echoed while presenting the specially prepared Russian-language edition to the visiting President.
