देश

PM Narendra Modi meets Russian Pres Putin, begin restricted talks

Russian President Vladmir Putin on Saturday arrived in Goa after a delay of over nine hours due to fog. The Russian President was welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders will hold meeting before BRICS summit to ink 18 defence agreements woth Rs 39,000 crores as a part of 17th India-Russia Annual Summit.

Earlier, Brazilian President Michel Temer and South African premier Jacob Zuma were first amongst global leaders to arrive for the BRICS Summit in Goa on Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the venue on Friday night.

The eighth edition of the international conference will begin shortly in Goa’s Taj Hotel as leaders from BRICS countries will continue to arrive according to their respective schedule. The 8th BRICS Summit is being held in Goa from Oct 15 to 16.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s arrival in Goa to attend the BRICS Summit was delayed due to poor visibility with thick fog making it difficult for his plane to land in the coastal state.

The Russian President was first scheduled to arrive at 1 AM at INS Hansa base, which is adjacent to the Dabolim Airport, but his arrival was delayed due to thick fog in the region, sources in the naval base told PTI.

His flight, which was supposed to land at 3 AM, was rescheduled to 7 AM but even at that time it could not arrive.

However, due to security reasons it was not stated as to where his plane has been diverted. Heavy security was in place along the road connecting INS Hansa base to the summit’s venue hotel in Benaulim village.

Several Union and Goa government officials were also camping at the base since last night to welcome the Russian President.

For the summit, Goa has been transformed into a fortress, with anti-aircraft guns deployed along the South Goa beaches.