Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” initiative on Tuesday, saying that it is the “right thing” to do. Putin made the remarks while speaking at the 8th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok, Russia.
In response to a question about Russian-made cars, Putin said that countries should use domestically made automobiles. He cited India as an example, saying that the country has set a good example through its policies under Modi’s leadership.
“They are focused on the manufacture and use of Indian-made vehicles,” Putin said. “I think that Prime Minister Modi is doing the right thing in promoting the Make in India programme. He is right.”
The Make in India initiative is a government program aimed at attracting foreign investment and promoting manufacturing in India. The program has been successful in attracting investment from a number of countries, including Russia.
In an address at the forum, Putin said, “You know, we did not have domestically made cars then, but we do now. It is true that they look more modest than Mercedes or Audi cars, which we bought in vast amounts in the 1990s, but this is not an issue. I think that we should emulate many of our partners, for example, India. They are focused on the manufacture and use of Indian-made vehicles. I think that Prime Minister Modi is doing the right thing in promoting the Make in India programme. He is right.”
Adding, he said that it is absolutely fine to use Russian-made automobiles.
“We have [Russian-made] automobiles, and we must use them; this is absolutely fine. This will not lead to any infringements of our WTO obligations, absolutely not. It will concern state purchases. We must create a certain chain regarding what cars different classes of officials can drive, so that they will use domestically-made cars,” Putin said according to media reports.
“You probably know about the proposals to continue buying these cars. It would be easy to do, because the logistics are streamlined,” he added. Not only this, but the Russian President also talked at length how he sees nothing in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) that can hinder Russia and that the project according to him benefits Russia.