White Fortuner Steals Spotlight as PM Modi Welcomes Putin in Delhi: 1 Iconic Moment Grabs Global Attention
White Fortuner grabs attention as PM Modi welcomes President Putin at Delhi airport
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday set aside his usual Range Rover and accompanied Russian President Vladimir Putin in a white Toyota Fortuner for the drive from New Delhi’s Palam Airport to his residence, an unusual break from standard protocol for both leaders.
The vehicle, a Toyota Fortuner Sigma 4 MT (MH01EN5795), drew attention after its registration details surfaced online.
Records showed the car complies with BS-VI emission norms and was registered in April 2024. Part of a recently updated fleet commonly used by security agencies for VIP movement, the Fortuner’s fitness certificate is valid until April 2039, while its pollution certificate is current through June 2026.
The focus, however, was less on paperwork and more on the choice of vehicle. The Fortuner is not part of the Prime Minister’s regular fleet, and Putin also deviated from his customary security arrangements.
The Russian President was notably not travelling in the Aurus Senat — his heavily armoured presidential limousine, usually the centrepiece of his protection detail abroad. Produced by Moscow-based Aurus Motors, the Senat is Russia’s official state car, known for its armoured frame and Rolls-Royce-inspired styling, integral to the President’s overseas security.
Such a joint ride in a non-standard vehicle is rare for two heads of government, who typically move in tightly controlled, multilayered security formations. The choice underscored the personal rapport PM Modi and President Putin often highlight publicly.
PM Modi personally received Putin at the airport, greeting him on the tarmac before the two leaders entered the Fortuner together. They then drove to the Prime Minister’s residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, which was decorated with India–Russia flags and special arrangements for the visit.
Meanwhile, Putin’s two-day visit has prompted controlled movement across parts of Delhi, with traffic restrictions and designated no-parking zones to ensure clear passage for the delegation. The brief journey from the airport to the Prime Minister’s residence marked the first leg of a schedule that includes high-level talks and engagements.
On December 4, 2025, as Narendra Modi personally welcomed Vladimir Putin at Delhi’s Palam Airport, it wasn’t just the historic warmth of their greeting—but a stark, white SUV — a Toyota Fortuner — that captured global attention and sparked a wave of curiosity and commentary.
Contrary to standard protocol, the two leaders — usually transported in heavily armoured limousines or officially sanctioned vehicles — shared a ride in a white Fortuner, registered MH01EN5795. Released from the usual black car fleet or heavily armoured convoy, the decision created a visual moment that quickly went viral.
Diplomatic visits of this magnitude almost always follow rigid security protocols. Leaders travel in secure, bullet-proof limousines — for example, the Russian President’s usual ride abroad is a heavily guarded armoured limousine.
Yet in a striking deviation, PM Modi and President Putin exited the airport together and headed to Lok Kalyan Marg in this Fortuner. The move — warm handshake on the tarmac, red-carpet welcome, cultural reception — was laden with symbolism: a public display of personal rapport, mutual trust, and a message that goes beyond formal diplomacy.
Their shared ride echoes an earlier moment of “car-ride diplomacy,” when they had travelled together during the summit in Tianjin, China in 2025. That ride was also widely publicized and discussed globally, and this renewed choice of a common vehicle reinforces that image of closeness.
The specific Fortuner used — a Sigma 4 MT, diesel, compliant with BS-VI emission norms — was registered only in April 2024, making it relatively new. Its fitness certificate is valid till 2039, and pollution clearance till 2026, indicating it’s part of a recently updated VIP/security fleet.
Because it is not part of the standard black fleet often used for high-security VVIP movements, its appearance with two top leaders became a talking point. Meanwhile, the Russian President’s usual official state car — a well-armoured limousine usually flown in for such visits — was reportedly trailing behind, underlining the deliberate choice of a simpler, less ostentatious mode of transport for this particular leg.
Symbolic camaraderie & rapport: The joint ride is more than a transport detail. It signifies a strong bond — a message of closeness, mutual respect, and personal trust between the two leaders.
Diplomatic messaging: In a time of global scrutiny and complex geopolitics, such visuals carry weight. They signal that the relationship between the two nations remains stable, personal, and rooted beyond formal agreements.
Media and public fascination: The unusual choice of vehicle broke the pattern and captured public imagination. The white Fortuner — a familiar SUV on Indian roads — stood out because of who rode in it, making it relatable yet extraordinary.
Blending security & normalcy: While security protocols remain — there was a massive security cordon, police, and protection details — this gesture balances the tightrope between safety and a display of informal warmth.
The visit marks the beginning of a two-day state visit by President Putin, setting the stage for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit. Over 10 inter-governmental agreements and more than 15 commercial memoranda of understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed, covering key sectors like trade, defense, energy, healthcare, fertilisers, shipping, and labour mobility.
At the symbolic level, the friendly reception — culminating in a car-ride together — sets a tone of warmth and strong bilateral ties. Ahead of the official talks and formal dinner hosted by Modi, this moment adds a human touch to state diplomacy.
While the white Fortuner ride will remain a memorable snapshot and social-media moment, the real test lies in what follows: the agreements, diplomatic outcomes, and how bilateral cooperation evolves beyond optics.
Observers will closely monitor the summit’s results — whether India and Russia can navigate global pressures, expand trade, manage defence ties, and chart cooperation that withstands shifting geopolitics. The ride may have caught the spotlight, but the coming days will test whether the image translates into impactful results.
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