The switch in the vehicle has sparked discussions online and among experts, who believe the choice was far from random.
Fortuner Over Range Rover: Coincidence or Calculated Signal?
There has been no official explanation from the government, but geopolitical analysts cited by India Today and other networks floated several theories.
The most prominent theory suggests that using a Japanese-branded vehicle instead of a European one carried symbolic value at a time when both India and Russia face Western scrutiny over the Ukraine conflict.
Defence analyst Colonel Rohit Dev called it “a message to the West”, hinting that transporting Putin in a European brand, especially from countries supporting sanctions on Moscow, would have generated unfavourable optics.
Avoiding European Brands Under Sanctions Spotlight
PM Modi’s official cars include a Range Rover and a Mercedes-Maybach S650 Guard, both European brands. The United Kingdom and Germany, home to these manufacturers, have been vocal supporters of Kyiv and have sanctioned Russia.A senior strategic commentator, quoted in India Today, explained: “A European car for Vladimir Putin during a state visit would have been politically awkward. A Japanese vehicle avoided that image altogether.”A social media user summed up the sentiment similarly: “Selecting a non-European Asian brand cleverly bypasses the sanctions narrative.”
Indigenous Manufacturing and Strong National Messaging
Another frequently cited reason is that many Fortuner models are manufactured in India, aligning with the government’s push for Make in India and self-reliance.
Media sources pointed out that a Fortuner Sigma 4 with a Maharashtra number plate was used, a detail that did not go unnoticed by those tracking protocol decisions.
Interestingly, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also used a white Fortuner when accompanying Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov to the National War Memorial, reinforcing suggestions that the selection may have been part of a broader message strategy.
The Practical Reason: Seating and Security Layout
Beyond symbolism, a logistical explanation has also emerged.
According to government sources, the Fortuner was chosen because of its seating configuration, not geopolitics. The vehicle’s third row allowed interpreters to be seated inside well before the leaders entered, without disrupting security protocols.
One official, speaking to India Today, noted: “The Range Rover does not have a third row. For two leaders and two interpreters travelling together, the Fortuner was the most efficient choice.”
As the Fortuner led the convoy towards the PM’s residence, both Putin’s Aurus Senat and Modi’s Range Rover followed behind, adding to the optics of shared space between the two leaders.
Diplomacy in Optics: A Silent Signal That Made the Loudest Noise
Whether chosen for practicality, messaging, or both, the decision created a moment of car diplomacy that captured global curiosity.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla posted cryptically on X: “Smart people will know why.”
Ultimately, the real reason may never be officially disclosed. But the drive in the Fortuner demonstrates that in modern diplomacy, symbols on wheels can say as much as the leaders inside them.
Inputs from agencies