Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in New Delhi on Thursday for his first visit since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, receiving a rare protocol-breaking welcome from Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Palam airport. The two leaders rode together to the PM’s residence, sharing nearly 30 minutes of one-on-one conversation before sitting down for a private dinner.

Government sources tell CNBC-TV18 that the visit is expected to deepen economic cooperation, narrow India’s large trade deficit with Russia, and open doors for Indian exporters across pharmaceuticals, automobiles, agriculture and marine products. India is also preparing for agreements across shipping, healthcare, fertilisers and connectivity, alongside expanded people-to-people and mobility partnerships.

But analysts say the st

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