NEW DELHI - Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closely watched visit to India began with the warmest of welcomes and ended with pledges of closer economic cooperation between the two countries, announced alongside his friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Seeking to revitalise economic ties, the two countries agreed to ease the movement of Indian workers and pledged to increase bilateral trade by expanding the goods basket, during Mr Putin’s two-day visit, his first to India since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 202.

India rolled out the red carpet for the Russian president, who has been shunned in many Western capitals.

Signalling the importance of the visit, Mr Modi broke from usual protocol and welcomed the Russian leader at the airport on Dec 4, where he enveloped him in a warm hug and then hosted him to a private dinner, and lunch the following day.

Mr Putin was also accorded a ceremonial welcome and Tri-Services Guard of Honour at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the Indian President.

“Humanity has faced numerous challenges and crises. Yet, through all of this, the India-Russia friendship has remained steady like a guiding star,” said Mr Modi as he addressed the press with Mr Putin on Dec 5.

The Russian leader’s visit to India came as the US continues to press for a ceasefire in Ukraine. Mr Modi has been under pressure by the West to push Russia toward a peaceful resolution, given the close ties between the countries that date back to the Cold War.

India has had to thread the needle between pacifying the West and maintaining ties with a country with which it has important energy and defence ties. In a sign of the bonhomie and level of trust between the current leaders of both countries, Mr Modi and Mr Putin had spoken 14 times over the phone since 2022 and met in person four times since 2024.

Beyond the symbolism of the trip, Russia, squeezed by sanctions and western censure, has sought to push economic and labour ties with India, while India is seeking diversi...