Putin arrives in India for crucial two-day summit; Delhi hotel transformed into high-security zone

New Delhi prepares for a high-stakes two-day visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking his first India trip since the Ukraine war began.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to arrive in New Delhi today for a two-day official visit, attending the annual India–Russia summit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marks his first trip to India since the beginning of the Russia–Ukraine conflict and his first visit since 2021, giving the engagement added diplomatic weight.

Ahead of his arrival, preparations in the capital have been intensified. The iconic ITC Maurya Hotel, where Putin will stay, has been fully reserved for the Russian delegation. The hotel’s presidential “Chanakya Suite,” known for its luxury and heightened security design, has been readied for his stay. Dining arrangements have been planned at the hotel’s acclaimed Dum Pukht restaurant, which is expected to host select meals during the visit.

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Security across the hotel and surrounding areas has been elevated to an unprecedented level. Multiple agencies, including elite National Security Guard commandos, snipers, surveillance drones, signal jammers, and AI-driven monitoring systems, have been deployed. Authorities have implemented a five-layer protection grid, turning the zone into one of the most secure spots in the country during the visit.

The annual summit between Modi and Putin, scheduled for tomorrow, will focus on strengthening long-standing strategic cooperation. Key issues include defence collaboration, reviving bilateral economic activity, and advancing the proposal for small modular nuclear reactors. With ongoing global sanctions affecting international trade, discussions on insulating India–Russia commerce from external restrictions are expected to take centre stage.

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Talks may also progress on the Free Trade Agreement negotiations with the Eurasian Economic Union, aimed at addressing tariff and non-tariff barriers. A number of government-level and commercial agreements are likely to be signed, alongside discussions on regional conflicts and shared security concerns.

With Putin’s visit, both nations aim to reinforce their decades-strong partnership and chart new pathways for cooperation in a changing geopolitical landscape.