Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 10: Three Russian military aircraft landed at Noida Airport for the first time on Tuesday morning, marking the first arrival of foreign aircraft at the newly operational airport.

The aircraft touched down at around 5.30 am, with a Russian IL-76 military transport aircraft among them. A Russian advance team and military officials arrived in India aboard the aircraft.

The arrival is being linked to preparations for Russian President Vladimir Putin's upcoming visit to India and the 18th BRICS Summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi.

All three aircraft remained parked at the airport through Wednesday, with airport security personnel and Russian teams monitoring the aircraft and overseeing security arrangements.

Foreign military aircraft arriving in India have traditionally used Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. The landing of the Russian aircraft at Noida Airport, therefore, marks a significant first for the newly operational facility.

The 18th BRICS Summit is scheduled to be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, with several heads of state and government expected to attend.

Putin is also scheduled to participate in the summit, and the arrival and parking of the Russian military aircraft are understood to be part of arrangements related to international protocol and the movement of foreign dignitaries.