Putin gets a rare airport welcome from PM Modi: Which global leaders has he personally received before?

As Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aircraft touched down at Palam Airport this evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally travelled to the arrival area to receive him. The gesture is being viewed as a rare break from diplomatic protocol, underlining the warmth that New Delhi aims to project in its long-standing ties with Moscow.

Putin’s arrival marks his first visit to India since 2021, ahead of a two-day State visit that includes the 23rd India–Russia Summit and a State banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

#BreakingNews | President Putin steps down from the plane, and PM Narendra Modi warmly welcomes his friend with an affectionate embrace @AnchorAnandN | #PModi#PutinInIndia#Putin#Delhipic.twitter.com/Gc0CYMhKLt

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 4, 2025

Over the years, PM Modi has occasionally stepped away from standard diplomatic norms by personally welcoming visiting heads of state or government at the airport. These include:

• Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, in February 2016 in New Delhi during a state visit. Indian media described the reception as a clear break in protocol.

• Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, in April 2017 in New Delhi. Modi personally welcomed her at the airport during her official visit.

• Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, in September 2017 in Ahmedabad. Modi greeted him and his wife upon arrival ahead of the India-Japan summit and the foundation stone ceremony for the bullet train project.

• Emmanuel Macron, President of France, in March 2018 in New Delhi. Modi welcomed Macron and his spouse at the airport.

• Abdullah II, King of Jordan, in February 2018 in New Delhi. Modi greeted the monarch on arrival for his state visit.

• Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, in January 2018 in New Delhi. The airport welcome marked one of the most public moments in expanding India-Israel ties.

• Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, in February 2019 in New Delhi. International media reported that Modi broke protocol to welcome him personally.

• Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, now President of the UAE, in January 2024 in Ahmedabad during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. Reports again highlighted the reception as a special gesture.

• Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of Qatar, in February 2025 in New Delhi. The MEA and Indian media called it rare, with the Prime Minister referring to him as “my brother.”

Protocol or personal touch: What it signifies

Welcoming a foreign head of state at the airport is not standard diplomatic protocol in India. Usually such arrivals are handled by ministers, senior officials or designated protocol officers.

When PM Modi has personally gone to receive dignitaries, the gesture has often been described as “special” or “personal,” meant to convey warmth and signal a close and friendly relationship between the countries involved.

In today’s case, the personal welcome for Putin may reflect the importance India attaches to its strategic partnership with Russia, especially at a time when both countries are expected to sign major agreements during the summit.