Can the Indian Prime Minister welcome a foreign head of state at the airport? Know what the protocol says

Russian President Vladimir Putin came to India on a two-day visit and on the evening of December 4, when his plane landed at Palam Airport in Delhi, PM Modi himself welcomed him. After this, the question being discussed is whether it is against the protocol to welcome the Prime Minister at the airport? Let’s find out what the actual rules say.

Complete system for welcoming foreign guests is in place

Whenever a foreign head of state or a high-level representative arrives in India, a set policy is followed to welcome him. This entire policy is prepared by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The Protocol Division of the Ministry of External Affairs looks after every small and big arrangement—from the airport reception to security coverage and official meetings.

How does the protocol division of MEA run?

The protocol division is divided into three major parts, and for each part Deputy Chief of Protocol (DCP) Is responsible.

• DCP (Visits): Makes arrangements for airport reception, security, hotel, motorcade, dinner, cultural programs etc. for the visits of foreign heads of state, prime ministers and ministers.
• DCP (Ceremonials & Publicity): Watch the guard of honour, flag hoisting, national anthem, press coverage and diplomatic ceremonies.
• DCP (Diplomatic Corps): Coordinates with embassies, handles diplomatic facilities, passport-visa and administrative work.

That is, when a foreign guest comes to India, every step is according to the protocol decided by the government.

Principle of Reciprocity—We do as we receive

There is a big rule in foreign policy-Principle of Reciprocity,
What does it mean:
India gives the same respect to any foreign guest, which the country gives to our Prime Minister or President.

Example:

• If in any country our PM is not given red carpet or guard of honour, then India will also give the same status to their Head of State.
• If our President’s car gets four escorts, the leader of that country will be given almost the same facility in India.

MEA follows all this very strictly.

Can the PM go to the airport and welcome him? what do the rules say

There has been a protocol in India for a long time that Prime Minister does not welcome any foreign head of state at the airport,
This work usually

• Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
• or Minister of Protocol
  Done through.

But this is not a “legal restriction”, but a diplomatic tradition Is. Therefore, if the PM wants, he can break this tradition.

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Not only PM Modi, many PMs have broken rules in the past too.

On many occasions in the last 15 years, the Prime Minister himself has gone to the airport to welcome foreign leaders.
PM Modi has also broken this tradition several times—like Putin, Netanyahu, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, and many other leaders.

Its purpose is often Show the warmth of relations between two countries It happens.