Putin is accompanied by senior ministers and a large Russian business delegation on the two-day trip as Moscow and New Delhi seek to expand their economic ties beyond energy and defence. Modi is hosting Putin for a private dinner on Thursday and the two leaders will hold summit talks on Friday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the Russian leader at an airport in New Delhi. Russian President Vladimir Putin has come to India for a summit focused on strengthening economic, defense and energy ties.

O N DECEMBER 4th, as The Economist went to press, Vladimir Putin was due to touch down in Delhi for the 23rd instalment of the India-Russia summit, an annual affair with many manly hugs and lots of bonhomie.

Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in India on Thursday for a two-day visit aimed at deepening defence ties, as New Delhi faces heavy US pressure to stop buying oil from

Russian President Vladimir Putin was due in India on Thursday for a two-day visit aimed at deepening defence ties, as New Delhi faces heavy US pressure to stop buying oil