Putin gave a warm welcome to PM Modi, hugged him, took him for a ride in a golf cart:Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a "private meeting" at his official residence 'Novo-Ogaryovo'. Prime Minister Modi, who arrived here on his first visit to Russia after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, will hold summit talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. This visit is being seen as a sign of broader geopolitical context and context.

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday night welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence 'Novo-Ogaryovo' for a "private meeting", during which he praised the PM for his work for the country's progress. "I want to congratulate you on being re-elected as Prime Minister. I think this is not a coincidence, but the result of your many years of work," Putin told Modi during an informal meeting at a residence outside Moscow.

Praised PM Modi fiercely

"You have your own ideas. You are a very energetic person, capable of achieving results in the interests of India and the Indian people. The result is obvious," Putin said. "India is the third largest economy in the world," Putin was quoted as saying by state news agency TASS.

Putin said Prime Minister Modi has devoted his whole life to serving his people During the informal meeting of the two heads of state over tea at the official residence outside Moscow, Modi recalled the recent elections in his country and said that "the people of India gave him a chance to serve the motherland." Putin replied, "You have devoted your whole life to serving the Indian people and they can feel it."

Both the leaders took a walk near the residence

"You are right, I have only one goal: this is the people and my country," the prime minister said with a smile, reports TASS. Later, President Putin and Prime Minister Modi took a stroll around Putin's residence in Novo-Ogaryovo.

According to a separate report by TASS, “The Russian leader showed his Indian guest around the residence and took him for a drive in an electric car. Most of the time they spoke through interpreters. However, when they got out of the car and headed towards the garden, they had a brief conversation, possibly in English.”

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to President Putin for hosting him in Novo-Ogaryovo. He said, "I also look forward to our talks tomorrow, which will surely play an important role in further strengthening the bonds of friendship between India and Russia."

Foreign Ministry shared photos

Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs described the private event as a 'meeting of two close friends and trusted partners'. Sharing some pictures of the meeting, the ministry said, "PM Modi was welcomed by Russian President Vladimir Putin for a private event at his official residence in Novo-Ogaryovo." The ministry said it was an occasion for the two leaders to cherish and celebrate India-Russia friendship.

Modi travelled to Russia on Monday for a summit with Putin in his first visit since the start of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine - a trip seen as a sign of broader geopolitical context.

Soon after arriving in Moscow, Modi said he looked forward to deepening bilateral partnership in future areas and that strong ties between India and Russia would "greatly benefit our people". In his departure statement, the Prime Minister said India wanted to play a "supporting role" for a peaceful and stable region. Modi was received at the Vnukovo airport by Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov.