Not Just Putin: The Only Other Leader Modi Has Welcomed at the AirportPrime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport this evening, ahead of the Russian leader’s two-day visit focused on defence, energy and other key strategic issues. The airport reception — a gesture the Prime Minister reserves for only a select group of foreign leaders — underlines the importance New Delhi places on its relationship with Moscow, especially at a time when India faces US tariff penalties linked to its imports of Russian oil. In the past 11 years, PM Modi has accorded this rare welcome to just six world leaders, each instance signalling the significance of the bilateral relationship. Barack Obama, 2015 The first time PM Modi made such a gesture was in 2015, when then US President Barack Obama arrived in Delhi as the Republic Day chief guest. The visit helped resolve a long-standing nuclear liability issue that had held up a multibillion-dollar agreement. Sheikh Hasina, 2017 In April 2017, PM Modi greeted then Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the airport. Her visit came after a seven-year gap and amid political tension at home over the stalled Teesta water-sharing agreement. Shinzo Abe, 2017 Later that year, PM Modi welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Ahmedabad. The two leaders shared a close personal rapport that helped advance major strategic projects, including India’s first bullet train corridor between Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Donald Trump, 2020 In 2020, PM Modi received US President Donald Trump in Ahmedabad, where the leaders addressed a crowd of nearly 100,000 at the Motera Stadium. Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, 2024 In January 2024, the Prime Minister welcomed UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was visiting India to attend the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, 2025 This February, PM Modi received Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani at the Delhi airport during his official visit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport this evening, marking the start of a two-day visit that will focus on defence cooperation, energy ties and other strategic issues.
The airport greeting — a protocol gesture extended only to a select few world leaders — underscores the value India places on its partnership with Russia, particularly as New Delhi navigates US tariff penalties imposed over imports of discounted Russian oil.
Since taking office, PM Modi has received just six foreign leaders at the airport, each time signalling elevated diplomatic importance.
Barack Obama (2015)
PM Modi first broke protocol in 2015 to welcome then US President Barack Obama, who arrived as the Republic Day chief guest. Their talks advanced the long-delayed nuclear liability framework, unlocking a multibillion-dollar deal.
Sheikh Hasina (2017)
In April 2017, he greeted then Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her first India visit in seven years, held amid tensions over the unresolved Teesta water-sharing agreement.
Shinzo Abe (2017)
Later that year, PM Modi welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Ahmedabad. Their close personal rapport helped drive major strategic initiatives, including the launch of India’s first bullet train project.
Donald Trump (2020)
In 2020, PM Modi received US President Donald Trump in Ahmedabad, ahead of their joint “Namaste Trump” rally at Motera Stadium attended by nearly 100,000 people.
Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (2024)
In January 2024, PM Modi welcomed UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who visited India for the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.
Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani (2025)
Earlier this year, he received Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani at the Delhi airport during his February visit.
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