Donald Trump to Vladimir Putin: Times when PM Modi received State leaders at airport
PM Modi has done so rarely to date, and it shows the importance of this meeting between two significant world leaders. In fact, he did it only six times before today.
New Delhi: In a heartwarming gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday himself received Russian President Vladimir Putin at the New Delhi airport. Putin is in India for his two-day visit on the occasion of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit in the national capital. The Russian President arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport on the evening of December 4.
PM Modi's warm welcome to President Putin
PM Modi went out of his way to welcome President Putin at the airport. He has done so rarely to date, and it shows the importance of this meeting between two significant world leaders. In fact, he had done it only six times before today.
World leaders received by PM Modi at airport
Barack Obama
In 2015, PM Modi received US President Barack Obama, the chief guest for that year's Republic Day parade. They talked over a nuclear liability issue that put a deal worth billions in cold for six years. It was a fruitful meeting, and the first time PM Modi went to the airport to welcome an important global leader.
Sheikh Hasina
In April 2017, PM Modi received then Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina at the airport, with the former visiting India after seven years. Notably, Hasina is currently in India seeking refuge after she was ousted from power last year following a massive protest movement.
Shinzo Abe
PM Modi received Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in 2017. India took a step forward in getting its first bullet train, something expected to run between Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Notably, the Japanese PM also participated in the train's groundbreaking ceremony.
Donald Trump
In 2020, PM Modi received US President Donald Trump at the Ahmedabad airport. They held an event named "Namaste Trump" at the Narendra Modi Stadium that was attended by 125,000 people.
Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
In January 2024, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was received by PM Modi at the airport. The UAE leader was in India to attend the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. The rally was the highlight of the tour, a response to the "Howdy Modi" event held in Houston, Texas, in September 2019.
Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani
In 2025, PM Modi received the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, at the Delhi airport. The Amir, accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials, and business leaders, was visiting India for the first time since his State visit in March 2015.