Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi late on Monday, giving him a tour of his residence outside Moscow before their official talks in the Kremlin on Tuesday.

Putin embraced the Indian leader at his home at Novo-Ogaryovo, greeted him as his "dear friend" and said he was "very happy" to see him, according to an account by Russia's TASS state news agency.

"Our official talks are tomorrow, while today in this comfortable, cozy setting we can probably discuss the same issues, but unofficially," TASS quoted Putin as saying.

In a friendly gesture, Putin took PM Modi on a ride in his electric car around his residence, Novo-Ogaryovo. The Russian Embassy in India shared a video of the two leaders enjoying the drive, which followed a conversation between them.

Russian state news agencies said Putin and Modi visited the residence's stable and watched a show with performing horses.

Putin praised PM Modi for the work he has done for the country’s progress.

“I would like to congratulate you on your reelection as prime minister. I think this is not an accident, but the result of your work over many years,” Putin told Modi as they held an informal meeting in a residence outside Moscow.

“You have your own ideas. You are a very energetic person, able to achieve results in the interests of India and the Indian people,” Putin said. “The result is obvious.” “India firmly ranks as the world’s third-largest economy,” Putin was quoted as saying by the state-run Tass news agency.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to President Putin for hosting him at Novo-Ogaryovo.

“Looking forward to our talks tomorrow as well, which will surely go a long way in further cementing the bonds of friendship between India and Russia,” he said.

The U.S. State Department expressed concerns over Modi's trip to Moscow and India's relationship with Russia amidst the ongoing war that Russia is waging against Ukraine.

This is Modi's first trip to Russia since 2019, his first since the Ukraine conflict began in February 2022, and his first visit during his third term as prime minister.

Upon arriving in Moscow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a Guard of Honour at VNUKOVO-II International Airport. Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov welcomed PM Modi at the airport.

Manturov and PM Modi shook hands and exchanged greetings. In a notable gesture, Manturov accompanied PM Modi to the hotel from the airport in the same car. India's Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, was also present at the airport to welcome PM Modi.

“PM is set to hold substantive discussions with President Vladimir Putin to take forward the special partnership between the two countries. He will also interact with the Indian community in Russia,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on ‘X’.

India has not yet condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine and has consistently advocated for resolving the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

Image source: Reuters