New Delhi, Dec 5: Russian President Vladimir Putin received a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday, marking the start of a packed day of high-stakes diplomatic engagement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed him at the forecourt, where the leaders exchanged greetings before proceeding to formal engagements.

Putin arrived in the capital on Thursday evening and was accorded full state honours during the ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The visit, the first by Putin to India in four years, will include the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, high-level defence and energy talks, and the signing of a long-term strategic economic 2030 roadmap agreement .

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