Russian President pays tribute to Gandhi before crucial bilateral talks

The diplomatic atmosphere in the national capital is electric as Russian President Vladimir Putin formally commenced his official engagements on Friday. In a solemn gesture reflecting the deep historical ties between the two nations, President Putin visited Rajghat to pay his respects to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

The Russian leader was seen laying a wreath and offering floral tributes at the memorial site. To mark the significance of the occasion, he also penned his thoughts in the visitor's book. During this visit to the memorial, he was escorted by Kirti Vardhan Singh, the Minister of State for External Affairs.

Before arriving at Rajghat, the day began with pomp and tradition at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly received the Russian President. The forecourt of the presidential palace resonated with the national anthems of both Russia and India, followed by a majestic tri-services guard of honour presented to the visiting dignitary.

High-profile officials, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, were present to greet the delegation. The ceremony also saw the introduction of key Russian figures, such as Defence Minister Andrey Belousov and Kremlin aide Dmitry Peskov, to their Indian counterparts.

This trip marks President Putin’s return to India after a four-year hiatus, his last visit dating back to December 2021. The core agenda of this two-day state visit is the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, where he will engage in extensive bilateral dialogues with Prime Minister Modi.

The camaraderie between the two leaders was evident from the moment Putin landed on Thursday. Breaking away from standard protocol, Prime Minister Modi personally welcomed the Russian President on the tarmac at Palam Airport with a warm embrace.