India, Dec. 4 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only personally received Vladimir Putin at Delhi airport this evening but also welcomed him with a hug, setting a warm tone for the Russian President's two-day visit to India.

The two leaders shook hands, exchanged a brief hug, and shared greetings before driving out of the airport together in the Toyota Fortuner that PM Modi regularly uses.

The Indian side had not informed Moscow that PM Modi would himself be present at the airport, a move described as a break from standard protocol and a sign of the personal rapport between the two leaders.

The BJP echoed this sentiment on X, highlighting the "notable departure" from usual practice.

Putin's arrival marks the start of his participatio...