Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi late last night and showed him around his residence near Moscow before the official talks in the Kremlin today, reported Reuters, quoted by BTA.
Putin hugged the Indian leader at his home in Novo Ogarevo, greeted him as his "dear friend" and said he was "very happy" to see him, according to information from the Russian state news agency TASS.
"Our official talks are tomorrow, while today in this comfortable, cozy environment, we can probably discuss the same issues, but informally,", Putin said.
The Russian president offered tea, fruit and sweets to Modi, who is on his first visit to Russia in five years, and showed him around his residence.
Modi's trip to Moscow and India's relationship with Russia against the background of Russia's war against Ukraine are cause for concern, the US State Department said in the meantime.
Thousands of people have died on both sides since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, according to Reuters. India, which has enjoyed close relations with Moscow for decades, has refused to condemn Russia for the war, calling instead for an end to the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
Russian state news agencies reported that Putin and Modi also visited the residence's stables and watched a horse show.
Last week, a senior Indian official said that correcting India's trade imbalance with Russia and securing the release of Indian citizens who were "misled" to fight the war in Ukraine will be among Modi's top priorities in Moscow.
India, which has had ties to Moscow since the Soviet era, has increased its purchases of cheap Russian oil to record levels.