Modi Greets Putin with Unusual Embrace at Summit
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke with formal diplomatic protocol to greet Russian President Vladimir Putin with a hug upon his arrival in New Delhi. The gesture marked the start of Putin's two-day official visit.
The warm welcome highlights the continued strength of the India-Russia relationship. The two leaders are set to hold talks focused on defense and trade agreements.
Diplomatic greetings between world leaders typically involve handshakes. The embrace, therefore, was a notable and visibly personal deviation from standard procedure.
The visit underscores India's balanced foreign policy. It maintains a close partnership with Russia while also strengthening ties with Western nations.