Putin Praises India’s Ties With Russia, Calls PM Modi a “Wise and National-Interest Oriented Leader”

By A Staff Reporter

Sochi: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday highlighted the “special nature” of India-Russia relations, describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “reasonable and wise leader” who prioritises national interest. The remarks came during his address at the Valdai Discussion Club, an international forum of experts on security and geopolitics.

Putin traced the foundations of bilateral relations back to India’s independence movement and the Soviet Union’s long-standing ties with New Delhi. “Our relations with India are of special nature ever since the Soviet Union and since the day India fought for their independence. India knows, remembers and appreciates that and we appreciate the fact that India never forgets that,” he said.

He went on to describe Prime Minister Modi as a leader deeply focused on his country’s welfare. “PM Modi is a very reasonable and wise leader. He is very oriented in the interest of his nation,” Putin added, underscoring Russia’s respect for India’s independent stance in global affairs.

In a lighter remark that drew attention from the audience, Putin expressed Russia’s admiration for Indian cinema. “We love Indian cinema. We are probably the only country in the world, other than India, that we have a separate channel that streams Indian cinema day and night,” he said.