New Delhi: India’s long-standing diplomatic relationship with Russia is often described as a bond built on two civilisational traditions. But there is another compelling layer to this partnership; the personal equation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, a connection that began nearly twenty-five years ago in Moscow.
The year was 2001. The NDA government was in power and Atal Bihari Vajpayee was on an official visit to Russia. Among those accompanying him was the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi. As Putin returns to India, memories of those early interactions have resurfaced, along with photographs capturing Modi’s presence at official engagements in Moscow.
Vajpayee’s trust and the first Modi–Putin frame
Modi travelled to Russia at a time when Vladimir Putin had only recently taken office as President. The visit also reflected the deep confidence Vajpayee placed in the Gujarat leader. It was during this trip that Modi and Putin were first seen together, marking the start of a personal connection that would later influence the trajectory of bilateral ties.
Vajpayee’s 2001 visit was far from routine diplomacy. India and Russia were entering a new phase of partnership. Defence cooperation was being reshaped, discussions on space collaboration were progressing, and energy security was emerging as a shared priority. Above all, there was a growing political trust that strengthened the foundation of the relationship.
After Narendra Modi took over as the Prime Minister of India
That trust evolved further after 2014. When Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, Putin was among the first world leaders to congratulate him. The two leaders have since guided the partnership to a new level, deepening defence engagement through major procurements, including the S-400 strategic systems, and expanding cooperation in energy, particularly through Russian oil and gas supplies.
Their coordination has extended to global platforms as well, from the G20 and BRICS to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, where India and Russia have often aligned their positions.
