Prime Minister Narendra Modi presents a copy of the Gita to Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Image via X/@narendramodi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday gifted Russian President Vladimir Putin a Russian edition of the Bhagavad Gita during the latter’s two-day visit to India.

Prime Minister Modi shared a photograph of the moment on X, writing, “Presented a copy of the Gita in Russian to President Putin. The teachings of the Gita give inspiration to millions across the world.”

The gesture came shortly after PM Modi warmly welcomed Putin as he arrived in New Delhi for a nearly 27-hour visit aimed at strengthening the long-standing India–Russia partnership. This is Putin’s first visit to India in four years.

In a rare protocol departure reflecting the importance of the visit, PM Modi received the Russian president at Palam airport with a hug, as artistes performed traditional dances.

The two leaders then travelled together to the prime minister’s official residence, nearly three months after PM Modi rode with Putin during their meeting in Tianjin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

The Prime Minister also hosted a private dinner for Putin, mirroring the hospitality extended to him during his visit to Moscow in July last year. The prime minister’s residence was decorated with lights and flowers for the occasion. The discussions over dinner are expected to serve as a prelude to the 23rd India-Russia Summit scheduled for Friday.

The summit is likely to focus on bolstering defence cooperation, strengthening bilateral trade mechanisms to shield them from external pressures, and exploring collaboration in small modular nuclear reactors.

(With inputs from PTI)

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