Amid US tariff pressure on India, President Putin hails PM Modi as a leader who “is not one to give in to pressure”
Amid US efforts to pressure India through tariffs, Russian President Vladimir Putin has lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a leader who “is not one to give in to pressure.”
In an interview with India Today ahead of his two-day visit to India, Russian President said the world has witnessed India’s firm international stance and that the country can be proud of its leadership.
Talking about his visit to India, Putin said that he was “very happy” to travel to meet his “friend, Prime Minister Modi” in Delhi.
He also highlighted that more than 90 per cent of financial transactions between India and Russia have been successfully completed.
“There is a lot to discuss,” he was quoted as saying, referring to the wide scope of cooperation between the two countries.
He also praised the “unique” history of India-Russia relations and India’s development since 1947, calling its achievements in just 77 years “remarkable.”
Limo ride with PM Modi ‘spontaneous gesture’
Putin also spoke about his widely discussed limousine outing with PM Modi during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in China this September, describing the gesture as completely unplanned.
“The car ride with PM Modi was my idea. It was a symbol of our friendship,” he told India Today, adding that they were simply discussing the summit agenda.
“It wasn’t pre planned. We stepped outside, my car was there, and I suggested that we ride together. It wasn’t some elaborate orchestration, we simply got into the car as friends,” he said.
Putin also noted that their discussion continued after arriving at the venue.
“We talked throughout the drive; there’s always something to discuss. We even sat inside the car for quite some time afterward,” he added.
What to expect from Putin’s visit
President Putin hinted that several joint decisions are likely to be announced in Delhi, though he did not provide specifics.
He praised India’s economic performance, noting that the 7.7% growth rate reflects the success of the Modi government.
“This is an achievement under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, and one the Indian nation can take pride in,” he said.
While withholding details, Putin said both countries are working together in key sectors including nuclear energy, space, aircraft manufacturing, and shipbuilding.
He also indicated that Artificial Intelligence could feature in discussions. “We will prioritise what holds the greatest significance at this stage,” India Today quoted him as saying.
23rd India-Russia Summit
On Friday, PM Modi and the two leaders will hold talks as part of the 23rd India-Russia Summit.
Putin’s visit comes at a sensitive time in global politics when there is a renewed push by the US on a peace deal to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end. The visit will test New Delhi’s efforts to balance relations with Moscow and Washington as the nearly four-year war in Ukraine grinds on.
According to the Associate Press, citing critics, while India has historically maintained deep ties with Russia. Putin’s visit could ruffle feathers among anti-Moscow nations and potentially jeopardise New Delhi’s negotiations for major trade agreements with the European Union and the United States, deals seen as critical for boosting India’s exports.
Putin last visited India in 2021. PM Modi was in Moscow last year, and the two leaders briefly met in September in China during a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.
With inputs from agencies
End of Article
