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. He was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on arrival at Palam airport. The Russian President will receive a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhawan tomorrow morning and will lay a wreath at Rajghat before delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House.

Modi–Putin association traced back to 2001 visit

The photographs circulating online show Modi — then Gujarat Chief Minister — accompanying Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during an official visit to Moscow in 2001. The visuals, originally taken during a document-signing ceremony, resurfaced last year during Modi’s Russia visit and have gone viral again ahead of Putin’s arrival.

Modi had recalled that Putin received him warmly despite his state-level role, speaking openly on governance, hobbies and global issues. During the 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 Vajpayee’s behalf, spending time with devotees. The visit marked Modi’s first international engagement as chief minister and his early diplomatic interaction with Putin.

Modi returned to Astrakhan in 2006 to extend the pact for another five years with Governor Alexander Zhilkin, strengthening Gujarat–Russia ties in energy and trade. These subnational partnerships later contributed to wider bilateral cooperation in defence, energy and commerce during Modi’s tenure as Prime Minister. Modi has frequently referenced the 2001 meeting, including receiving a framed photograph from the ISKCON visit as a gift during his 2024 trip to Moscow.

Vladimir Putin’s rise: 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, and inaugurated on May 7, 2000, and was re-elected for a second term on March 14, 2004. From May 8, 2008, he served as Prime Minister. He returned as President after the March 4, 2012, election, was inaugurated on May 7, 2012, re-elected on March 18, 2018, and assumed office on May 7, 2018. He won the presidential election held on March 15–17, 2024, and took office on May 7, 2024.

(With inputs from TOI)