The BRICS TimesRussian President’s two-day state visit includes the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit scheduled in Delhi on December 5.
A Symbolic Gesture of Strong Ties
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Delhi on Thursday evening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally greeted him at Palam airport. The two leaders then traveled together in the same car. This shared ride was a repeat of an earlier diplomatic move. Three months ago, PM Modi rode in President Putin’s car in Tianjin, China. President Putin is in India for a two-day state visit. The purpose is the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit on December 5.
The Tianjin Precedent
In September 2025, Modi and Putin were at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Following the SCO proceedings, they traveled together. They used the car assigned to Putin for their bilateral meeting venue in Tianjin. On Thursday in Delhi, PM Modi escorted President Putin. They were driven away in a Toyota Fortuner SUV. Later, PM Modi was scheduled to host a private dinner for the Russian leader.
Putin on Shared Carpool Diplomacy
President Putin spoke about the September 1 carpool in an interview. He rode with PM Modi in his Aurus Senat limousine. Before leaving Moscow for Delhi, he gave the interview to India Today. Putin stated, “The car ride with PM Modi was my idea. It was a symbol of our friendship.” He also added, “We talked throughout the drive; there’s always something to discuss. We even sat inside the car for quite some time afterward.”
PM Modi’s Post on X
PM Modi later shared a photo of the Tianjin car ride on X. He captioned it, “After the proceedings at the SCO Summit venue, President Putin and I travelled together to the venue of our bilateral meeting. Conversations with him are always insightful.” This public display of friendship is important now.
Bilateral Ties Amid Global Pressure
This display comes during strained India-US trade relations. Donald Trump had imposed high tariffs on Delhi. This was for India’s Russian crude oil purchase, despite the Ukraine war. India firmly defends its national interest in this matter. However, the rapport between Modi and Putin is long-standing. Their friendship spans almost three decades. PM Modi, as Gujarat CM, visited Russia with then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2001.
Akshay Didwaniya
