Amid the escalating war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday showered praises on PM Narendra Modi and India’s independent foreign policy, calling him a “true patriot”.
Speaking at an event of the prestigious think-tank Valdai Discussion Club, the Russian president also said that “a great future lies ahead of India”.
In his speech translated by Russia’s state TV RT, Putin said a lot of good work has been done under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.
“He is a true patriot of his country. His concept of ‘Make in India’ is a significant effort. It has really progressed in development. A great future lies ahead of India,” he said.
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Responding to a question on “what role do you expect India to play in a post-hegemonic world”, he said: “India has made tremendous progress in its development from being a British colony to a modern state. Almost 1.5 billion people and significant development! It attracts general respect from everyone in the world.”
As Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine escalates with the Kremlin claiming that Kyiv is planning a “dirty bomb” attack, Putin said that New Delhi and Moscow have been supporting each other.
“We have a special relationship with India that is built on the foundation of a close ally relationship for decades. We have never had any outstanding issues with India. We have supported each other and that is what is happening now. I am positive that it will remain that way in the future as well.”
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Putin also expressed satisfaction with the increasing volume of the India-Russia bilateral trade.
He stated that Indians should feel proud not only because it is the largest democracy in the world, but also because it managed to maintain a high growth rate despite challenges.
The Russian president also informed that PM Modi had requested him to increase the supply of fertilizers, which is crucial for the Indian agriculture sector. “And we have done that. We have increased supplies by 7.6 times. Trade in agriculture has almost doubled,” he added.
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Accusing the United States and the West of playing “dangerous, bloody and dirty” games, Putin stressed that only a united world united by common goals can face the challenges it faces today.
“Power over the world is what the West has put at stake in the game it plays. This game is certainly dangerous, bloody and I would call it dirty,” he concluded.