Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian-language copy of the Bhagavad Gita. PM Modi later shared the moment on X, writing that the Gita’s teachings inspire millions of people around the world. Putin is in India for a two-day visit, and the Prime Minister hosted him for a private dinner at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Thursday night.
PM Modi gifts Putin a ‘Russian Gita’
Earlier in the day, PM Modi welcomed Putin as he arrived in Delhi for a short but important 27-hour visit. Despite global tensions, both sides say the India–Russia partnership remains steady. From the airport, the two leaders travelled together in one car. This comes nearly three months after both leaders travelled in one vehicle during the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China.
Taking to X, the Prime Minister wrote: “Presented a copy of the Gita in Russian to President Putin. The teachings of the Gita give inspiration to millions across the world.”
Presented a copy of the Gita in Russian to President Putin. The teachings of the Gita give inspiration to millions across the world.@KremlinRussia_E pic.twitter.com/D2zczJXkU2
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 4, 2025
Putin’s Delhi trip is especially significant as it comes at a time when India–US relations have taken a dramatic setback. Several agreements, especially in trade, are expected to be signed during the summit.
Putin’s Friday schedule in India
On Friday morning, Putin will receive a ceremonial welcome and a tri-services guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He will then visit Raj Ghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
This will be followed by talks — first with only the two leaders in the room, and then with their full delegations at Hyderabad House. Both PM Modi and Russian President Putin will also address a business gathering organised by FICCI and Roscongress at Bharat Mandapam.
In the evening, President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet for Putin. He is scheduled to fly out around 9 pm on Friday.
Putin says India–Russia ties are not “against anyone”
Ahead of the summit, Putin, in an interview with India Today, said that India and Russia do not work together to target any third country. “Neither I nor Prime Minister Modi have ever approached our cooperation as something directed against someone,” he said. Putin also questioned why the G7 calls itself the “Big Seven,” pointing out that India is the world’s third-largest economy (in purchasing power terms), while countries like the UK rank much lower.
Referring to Donald Trump’s tariff move, Putin said the former US president makes decisions based on the advice of his economic team and believes those tariffs help the American economy. He also questioned why India should be criticised for buying Russian oil, saying the US itself continues to buy Russian nuclear fuel for its power plants.
Meanwhile, Putin said that discussions on the US proposal to end the Ukraine war were long and detailed. He added that some points were acceptable, while others were not.