New Delhi, Dec 4 (UNI) Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India Thursday evening on a two-day visit to participate in the annual bilateral summit talks with PM Modi, in a visit being watched closely by the West.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Russian President at the Palam technical airport, in a special gesture, reaffirming the close ties between the two nations as well as the warmth of their personal relations.

PM Modi and President Putin exchanged a handshake and a warm hug as the Russian leader alighted from the aircraft.

The two leaders then got into a white SUV car and drove off from the airport.

PM Modi is hosting a private dinner for President Putin this evening, ahead of the formal summit tomorrow.

The visit is the first by President Putin to India since

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