Press Frustration: Coverage Hindered by Stringent Security in India-Russia Summit

Russian journalists faced strict security restrictions during President Putin's visit to India for the 23rd India-Russia summit. Reporters described intensified checks, with many personal items banned unexpectedly. Journalists expressed surprise at the extent of confiscation, which included items like phone chargers and cosmetics.

Accompanying President Vladimir Putin on his recent visit to India, Russian journalists expressed frustration over the strict security restrictions implemented during the 23rd India-Russia summit.

The summit, held in New Delhi from December 4-5, aimed at bolstering the nations' strategic and economic partnership. However, reporters from Russian media outlets Kommersant and Vedomosti reported finding security checks at Hyderabad House, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and other venues to be unexpectedly rigorous.

In a piece for Kommersant, Kremlin press pool member Andrei Kolesnikov detailed the screenings at Hyderabad House, the summit's central venue. Despite prior warnings against carrying power banks, journalists found themselves surrendering a variety of personal items, including phone chargers, cosmetics, and even mundane objects such as car keys and hair combs.

Moreover, Elena Mukhametshina from Vedomosti shared experiences from Rashtrapati Bhavan, noting a growing list of prohibited items during the security line, sometimes necessitating a second screening round.

(With inputs from agencies.)