The protocol of having Manturov personally welcome PM Modi and accompany him to the hotel in the same car sends a strong signal about the importance Russia places on its relationship with India.
This reception, with the highest-ranking Russian official below President Putin himself, contrasts with China’s welcome, where the lower-ranking Deputy Prime Minister received President Xi.
India has maintained a close relationship with Russia since the Cold War, and Russia was once India’s largest arms supplier. However, the Ukraine conflict has strained Russia’s military resources, leading to a decline in Russian arms exports to India in recent years.
At the same time, India has emerged as a major buyer of discounted Russian oil, providing much-needed revenue for Moscow. This has reshaped the energy partnership, with India saving billions while bolstering Russia’s war coffers.
PM Modi’s visit, his first to Russia since 2019, comes as India seeks to balance its longstanding ties with Moscow with growing security cooperation with Western powers.
The high-level reception by Russia underscores India’s continued significance as a partner, even as the global landscape shifts.