Modi gets a ‘more special’ Russia welcome than Xi Jinping got, because…

Russia appears to be giving special treatment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon after he landed in Moscow on Monday, July 8. Upon his arrival at the Vnukovo-II airport, PM Modi was received by Russia’s first Deputy Prime Minister (1st DPM), Denis Manturov, who is a senior to Deputy PM who received Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Russia.

Also, in a rare gesture, Manturov also accompanied PM Modi to the hotel from the airport in the same car.

PM Modi is on his first trip to Russia since it began invasion of Ukraine.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Hotel The Carlton in Moscow

In a rare gesture, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Denis Manturov accompanied PM Modi to the hotel from the airport in the same car. PM Modi is on a two-day official visit to Russia. pic.twitter.com/r1ZQH2ykzV

— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2024

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Manturov, who has served as Russia’s industry minister, was promoted by President Vladimir Putin in May this year to a role of top deputy prime minister overseeing the defence sector.

PM Modi will be in Moscow for two days before he leaves for Austria.

Upon his arrival in Moscow, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome soon after he arrived in Moscow.

During his visit, PM Modi will co-chair the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit with Russian President Putin. He will also interact with the members of Indian Community in Moscow.

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‘Landed in Moscow’

Moments after touching down in Moscow, PM Modi posted pictures from the airport of him being received by Manturov and being accorded guard of honour.

“Landed in Moscow. Looking forward to further deepening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between our nations, especially in futuristic areas of cooperation. Stronger ties between our nations will greatly benefit our people,” PM Modi posted on X.

Landed in Moscow. Looking forward to further deepening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between our nations, especially in futuristic areas of cooperation. Stronger ties between our nations will greatly benefit our people. pic.twitter.com/oUE1aC00EN

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2024

Russia, Modi’s first bilateral foreign trip in third term

PM Modi’s decision to choose Russia in his first bilateral foreign trip in his third term in office speaks volumes about the importance he places on firming up diplomatic ties with the country.

Also, the visit shows that the Indian Prime Minister has been treading a fine line between maintaining a longstanding friendship with Russia and courting closer Western security ties.

PM Modi last visited Russia in 2019 to attend an economic summit in the Russian city of Vladivostok. He hosted Putin in Delhi in 2021, weeks ahead of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

PM Modi and Putin last held bilateral talks on the margins of a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) at Samarkand in Uzbekistan on September 16, 2022.

PM Modi gets a warm welcome

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets children and interacts with the members of the Indian diaspora gathered at The Carlton Hotel in Moscow

PM Modi is on a two-day official visit to Russia. pic.twitter.com/5EqG1vVs6H

— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2024

The Indian diaspora welcomed Prime Minister Modi at The Carlton Hotel in Moscow. The PM met and interacted with children and other Indians living in Russia who had congregated to welcome him.