Russian President Vladimir Putin receives a warm welcome from PM Narendra Modi at Delhi Airport ahead of the India-Russia Summit 2025 (Photo: X | @narendramodi)
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s arrival in New Delhi on Thursday created global buzz—not just in diplomatic circles but also in the skies. According to Flightradar24, a real-time flight tracking website, Putin’s presidential aircraft became the most tracked flight in the world while enroute to India. The two-day visit marks the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, during which Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have extensive discussions on defence, energy, and trade cooperation.
Flightradar24 shared that Putin's aircraft drew massive attention online, with over 1,700 people simultaneously tracking its route toward New Delhi. The global flight tracker posted on X: "Our most tracked flight now: one of the Russian government aircraft en route to India."
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The Russian president is a well-known traveler under heavy security, often using more than one plane when traveling for confidentiality and safety reasons. In this case, two planes were noticed in rotation, where one was periodically turning its transponder on and off to mask the president's exact whereabouts.
Putin's jet is the Ilyushin IL-96-300PU, a special variant of the IL-96-300 airliner, widely referred to as the "Flying Kremlin." The aircraft is hardened against electronic warfare; it features encrypted communications, a missile defence system, and exclusive interior design for command-level operations.
Also flying in along with the aircraft is Putin's armoured Aurus Senat limousine, generally transported separately and a symbol of Russian state power. First flown in 1988, it remains one of the most secure flying command centres in the world.
Upon arrival at New Delhi's Palam Airport, President Putin was unexpectedly greeted personally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Breaching protocol, Modi clasped him in a warm hug and shook his hand at the aircraft steps, before both the leaders drove off in the same car.
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Later that evening, the leaders headed for 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, the Prime Minister's official residence, where Modi hosted a private dinner. With no press or cameras present to record the meeting, the discussions were seen as setting the tone for the high-level talks on Friday.
Issues relating to defence partnerships, joint manufacturing projects like Su-30 fighter jet upgrades, nuclear energy cooperation, and expansion of trade channels in view of the Western sanctions will be the subject of formal discussions at Hyderabad House.
Putin’s visit comes on the heels of his statement defending India’s purchase of Russian energy: “If the United States can buy our fuel, why can’t India enjoy this right?” His statement has boosted Moscow’s position on independent bilateral trade regardless of geopolitical pressures.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Traffic Police issued advisories urging commuters to avoid central routes between 9 a.m. and noon on Friday due to the summit’s security arrangements.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available reports and aims to present factual coverage of President Putin’s official visit to India.
