Putin’s aircraft landed in Delhi at around 3 a.m. He was welcomed at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs K.V. Singh. After the Guard of Honour, his convoy left for the ITC Maurya hotel.
Putin is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 3:30 p.m. today. The talks may include Russia’s offer to produce the Su-57 in India and share the necessary technology.
The defence cooperation discussions come against the backdrop of the 2016 BRICS Summit in Goa, when India and Russia reached an agreement on the S-400 air defence system. Defence cooperation is again expected to remain a key issue during Putin’s visit.
The convoys of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who are attending the BRICS Summit, will be among the largest of the visiting world leaders. On Thursday, three Russian transport aircraft carrying Putin’s convoy arrived at Jewar Airport in Noida, along with the Aurus Senat armoured limousine.
The IL-96-300PU aircraft accompanying Putin, known as the ‘Flying Kremlin’, serves as a mobile presidential command centre. In Delhi, Putin’s internal security will be handled by the Federal Protective Service (FSO), while Indian agencies will maintain the outer security cordon.
The food served to Putin will undergo separate checks, with Russia using its own chefs. Earlier, another Russian Il-96 special flight carrying diplomats had arrived in Delhi. Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov has also reached India.
Putin’s arrival and the security arrangements surrounding his visit underline the importance of the BRICS Summit, with defence cooperation and the proposed Su-57 production and technology-sharing offer expected to feature prominently in the India-Russia discussions.
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