This is Putin’s first visit to India since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Since then, global lines have been redrawn and Putin has mostly been isolated from the world, travelling less frequently and only to visit trusted allies.

He last visited India in December 2021 – two months before the war – for the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit.

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That was a much shorter visit, lasting just five hours, amid the Covid pandemic.

Delhi and Moscow used the time to sign several agreements across a range of sectors, including trade, energy, intellectual property and education.

The countries also signed a programme for defence cooperation for 10 years – to run up to 2031.

Modi and Putin have met at other international summits since then and, last year, the Indian prime minister travelled to Russia to attend the countries’ annual summit.