New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin began his two-day visit to India on Thursday with an unexpected break from official protocol travelling alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a Toyota Fortuner instead of the usual high-end state vehicles. The leaders drove together from Delhi’s Palam Airport to the Prime Minister’s residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, creating an online frenzy as photos of their car ride quickly went viral.

Putin, who arrived to attend the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, was personally received by PM Modi at the airport, a gesture many interpreted as a sign of the warm rapport between the two leaders. But it was the choice of vehicle that caught the public eye: a white Toyota Fortuner, far from the conventional Range Rovers or Mercedes-Benz models typically u

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