Overview
- After landing in Delhi, Vladimir Putin joined Narendra Modi in a white Toyota Fortuner for the trip from Palam Airport to the prime minister’s residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.
- The Kremlin noted that leaders sometimes travel together to hold private, time-saving conversations, though Putin typically uses a Russian-made Aurus for official movements.
- Indian intelligence sources said the SPG and Russia’s Federal Protection Service chose a neutral Toyota to reduce predictability, allow easier armouring, and integrate smoothly into a mixed convoy.
- Sources cited the Fortuner’s third-row seating as a practical reason to accommodate interpreters with the two leaders during the drive.
- The SUV was identified as a Fortuner Sigma 4 with a Maharashtra registration plate, a detail that drew notice, while commentators offered unconfirmed theories about avoiding European-branded cars for optics.