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New Delhi: The national capital is transforming into an impenetrable fortress as it prepares for the arrival of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is set to embark on a two-day state visit on Thursday. The highly anticipated summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to yield a myriad of significant outcomes across trade and defence between India and Russia. The visit is expected to solidify the "privileged strategic partnership" between the two nations amid US sanctions.
However, equally paramount is the unprecedented multi-layered security operation underway, ensuring the safety of one of the world's most protected leaders.
Bolstering bilateral bonds amid external pressure
Ahead of Russian President Putin's visit, discussions have underscored a shared commitment to fortify economic ties against geopolitical headwinds. Russian President's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, speaking on Tuesday, emphasised the critical need for India and Russia to "secure bilateral trade from external pressure," a clear nod to persistent US sanctions.
Peskov acknowledged Russia's determined efforts to "ensure the volume of oil trade does not fall," signalling the strategic importance of energy cooperation despite global challenges.
He also addressed India's long-standing concerns regarding the trade deficit, stating, "Russia is fully aware of India's concerns and the problem of trade deficit." To rebalance the scales, Peskov affirmed, "We are looking at increasing imports from India," suggesting potential new avenues for Indian goods in the Russian market.
Defence pillar strengthened
In a significant precursor to the summit, the Russian parliament's lower house, the State Duma, on Tuesday held a priority ratification vote on a crucial defence pact with India. This agreement, known as the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS), aims to dramatically streamline coordination for joint military exercises, disaster relief efforts, and other operational synergies between the armed forces of both nations.
The RELOS agreement was originally inked in Moscow on February 18, 2025, by Indian Ambassador Vinay Kumar and then-Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin. Its ratification now stands as a testament to the deepening military cooperation between Delhi and Moscow, poised to enhance their strategic partnership in the defence sphere. The timing of the vote, just days before Putin's arrival, highlights its importance in setting the agenda for the upcoming talks.
A security operation like no other
The diplomatic and defence dialogues, however, are unfolding against the backdrop of one of the most intense security deployments ever witnessed in the capital. Recognising President Putin's status as one of the world's most heavily protected leaders, Indian and Russian agencies are engaged in a meticulously choreographed collaboration to ensure his absolute safety.
Sources confirm that Russia's elite Special Protection Team, responsible for Putin's personal security, made an early and discreet arrival in Delhi several days ago before his visit. This advance team has been conducting exhaustive inspections of every potential vulnerability from the airport to all designated meeting venues and the entire motorcade route.
Furthermore, a hallmark of President Putin's travel protocol is the presence of a mobile chemical laboratory. This specialised unit tests all his food and drinking water, ensuring he consumes neither local dishes nor local water. Everything is prepared in advance by the Russian team and undergoes multiple layers of testing before being served.
A multi-layered security blanket in Delhi
Backing the Russian team, Delhi Police, the Special Protection Group (SPG), and various central security agencies are operating on a state of maximum alert. Key areas across the capital are experiencing heavy deployments of police forces, and multiple trial runs of VIP routes are being conducted to perfect coordination and timing.
The extensive security measures include:
Multi-layered Protection: A robust security cordon extending from the President's hotel to all meeting venues.
Sniper Positioning: Elite snipers strategically positioned on high-rise buildings along critical routes.
Drone Surveillance: Extensive use of drones for aerial monitoring of the entire cityscape.
Anti-Drone Systems: Activation of sophisticated anti-drone systems to neutralise any unauthorised aerial threats.
Technical Monitoring: Comprehensive technical monitoring of all signals and communication networks to detect and prevent disruptions.
Advanced Surveillance: High-definition cameras and facial recognition technology deployed extensively along the motorcade routes.
24x7 Control: A dedicated 24x7 special monitoring desk established at the Delhi Police control room for constant vigilance.
Effectively, the entire capital has been transformed into a high-security zone, with every corner under intense scrutiny.
Managing the capital's flow
While security remains the paramount concern, authorities are also striving to minimise inconvenience to the general public. Traffic diversions will be implemented in several parts of the city during the movement of President Putin's motorcade. Police officials have stated that efforts will be made to manage traffic flow efficiently, though security imperatives will undoubtedly dictate the primary course of action.
