Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday arrived at INS Hansa base in Goa for the BRICS summit, after a delay of more than nine hours due to bad weather, making it difficult for his plane to land in the coastal state.
Putin, who finally landed here around 10.20 AM was scheduled to arrive at 1.30 AM, but his flight had to be diverted to Mumbai due to visibility issues.
Thick fog had enveloped the areas around INS Hansa base causing the delay, a senior naval official told PTI.
Putin was received at the base by Union Minister of State for Ministry of External Affairs V K Singh and Goa Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza.
Putin became the third head of state after South African President Jacob Zuma and Brazilian President Michel Temer to arrive here for the BRICS summit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reached the state last night.
All the Presidents were offered a red carpet welcome by Indian Navy at INS Hansa, a naval base near Dabolim airport.
The base is home to several fighter plane squadrons attached to Indian Navy.
