Prime Minister Narendra Modi was offered a ceremonial guard of honour at the VNUKOVO – II International Airport in Russia. His visit for two days includes a dinner with the Russian President and engagements with the Indian diaspora. Further, during the two-day visit, delegations would be participating in the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit and engage in detailed discussions in regard to ongoing global issues.
What has been on global notice is the unprecedented reception and warm hospitality shown to PM Modi on his arrival in Russia. He was received by the first Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Denis Manturov, who made a rare gesture of accompanying him from the airport to the hotel in the same car to drive home how serious Russia is about its relations with India. Whereas during the Chinese Premier Xi Jinping's recent visit, he was received by a lower order official, it is vice-versa in the case of PM Modi.
This red-carpet treatment—the very pinnacle of Russian officialdom, in rank a rung below President Putin—is the deep meaning eluding indo-Russian relations that have withstood the time tests yet emerged haywire: stronger. On the economic rigor, Russia has been India's longtime arms supplier; vis-à-vis the global dynamics, India is still buying Russian oil at discount prices and making handsome contributions towards the Russian economic outlook.
As India and Russia meet for the 22nd Annual Summit, much of the global media would be waiting with bated breath—indeed, as surely as China's watchful eyes—to see what would come out of the meet, especially in terms of outcomes and agreements. Says much about the levels of confidence Russia disproves in its dealings with India as India expands diversification in its defense acquisitions beyond traditional suppliers.
The red-carpet welcome for PM Modi in Russia reflects the extent of its confidence and strategic bearings the country attaches to the bilateral relations amid an evolving world order of alliances and partnerships.
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