Reigning world champion Sindhu, who had won a silver at the Rio Games five years ago, walked out of the Indira Gandhi International Terminal amid a round of applause from the airport staff. She was flanked by security officers and wearing a face mask

The star Indian shuttler was received by Badminton Association of India (BAI) general secretary Ajay Singhania, along with other officials of the Sports Authority of India (SAI)

Sindhu and her Korean coach Park Tae-sang were also felicitated by Singhania at the airport

"I am very happy and excited of course, everybody congratulated me and I am thankful to BAI and everyone for supporting and encouraging me. It is an exciting day and a happy moment," Sindhu said.