As Russian President Vladimir Putin embarks on a two-day state visit to India, images from 2001 showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first encounter with Putin have resurfaced and are circulating widely on social media. Putin is arriving in New Delhi today for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. This marks Putin's first official trip to India since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022.

The old photographs capture a younger Modi, then the Chief Minister of Gujarat, accompanying then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on an official visit to Moscow. The images show Modi witnessing a document-signing ceremony. The pictures initially gained traction last year during Modi's visit to Russia and have re-emerged ahead of Putin's arrival in India.

Modi has often spoken about his first meeting with Putin, recalling the Russian leader's warm reception despite his position as a state-level official. Modi noted that Putin engaged him in open discussions about their respective states, hobbies, and global issues. He stated that Putin did not make him feel less important because he was from a small state or was new to international relations, which opened the door for friendship between them.

During the 2001 visit, Modi signed a protocol agreement between Gujarat and the Astrakhan region of Russia to promote cooperation in petrochemicals, hydrocarbons, trade, science and technology, education, tourism, and culture. He also visited Moscow's ISKCON temple to offer prayers on behalf of Vajpayee, who was not feeling well, and spent a good amount of time with devotees.

This visit was Modi's first international engagement as Chief Minister and his first diplomatic interaction with Putin. Modi returned to Astrakhan in 2006 to extend the agreement for another five years with Governor Alexander Zhilkin, further strengthening ties between Gujarat and Russia in energy and trade. These subnational initiatives later contributed to broader bilateral cooperation in defense, energy, and commerce during Modi's tenure as Prime Minister.

Putin's schedule includes a meeting with PM Modi at Hyderabad House, following a wreath-laying ceremony at Rajghat and a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan. After the summit, Putin is expected to launch a new India channel of the Russian state-run broadcaster RT. A state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu will also be held in Putin's honor. Agreements in areas such as trade, economy, healthcare, academics, culture, and media are expected to be signed.

The talks between the two leaders are expected to focus on strengthening defense ties, protecting bilateral trade from external pressures, and exploring cooperation in small modular reactors. The visit takes place amidst a renewed push to end the conflict in Ukraine, even as those efforts appear to have stalled.

Delhi is under high alert with a multi-layered security grid in place for Putin's visit. Senior police officers have stated that every movement will be tracked by multiple security units and that maximum vigilance will be maintained.