Flashback: Viral 2001 photo shows Modi and Putin together during early diplomatic visit

Vladimir Putin landed in India an hour ago for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. When Palam arrived at the airport, he was welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Russian President will receive a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhawan tomorrow morning and lay a wreath at Rajghat before delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House.

The origins of the Modi-Putin relationship date back to the 2001 visit

Photos circulating on the internet show Modi (then Gujarat Chief Minister) accompanying Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his official visit to Moscow in 2001. The images, originally shot during a document signing ceremony, resurfaced during Modi’s visit to Russia last year and went viral again ahead of Putin’s arrival.

Modi recalled that despite his role at the state level, Putin welcomed him warmly and talked openly about governance, hobbies and global issues. During his 2001 trip, Modi signed a protocol agreement between Gujarat and Russia’s Astrakhan region to enhance cooperation in petrochemicals, hydrocarbons, trade, science and technology, education, tourism and culture. He also visited the ISKCON temple in Moscow on behalf of Vajpayee and spent time with devotees. The visit was Modi’s first international engagement as prime minister and his first diplomatic interaction with Putin.

Modi returned to Astrakhan in 2006 to extend the agreement with Governor Alexander Zhilkin for another five years, strengthening Gujarat-Russia energy and trade ties. These subnational partnerships subsequently contributed to broader bilateral cooperation in defence, energy and trade during Modi’s tenure as Prime Minister. Modi has made frequent references to the 2001 meeting during his 2024 trip to Moscow, including receiving a framed photo from his ISKCON visit as a gift.

The rise of Vladimir Putin: Timeline of presidency and prime ministership

Vladimir Putin became acting President of Russia on December 31, 1999. He was elected President on March 26, 2000, took office on May 7, 2000, and was re-elected for a second term on March 14, 2004. He served as Prime Minister since May 8, 2008. He returned as President after the elections of March 4, 2012, took office on May 7, 2012, was re-elected on March 18, 2018, and took office on May 7, 2018. He won the Presidential election held on 15-17 March 2024 and took office on 7 May 2024.
(With inputs from TOI)