Blitz Bureau
RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin has praised India as a “great power” and a “natural ally,” reaffirming the strength of India-Russia relations, which he described as deeply rooted in mutual trust and historical ties.
Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi on November 7, Putin highlighted India’s economic prowess, calling it one of the fastest-growing economies and a global leader in growth among large economies, with an impressive annual GDP increase of 7.4 per cent.
“We are developing our ties with India in all directions. India is a great country. It is a leader in terms of economic growth among large economies, with its GDP posting an annual growth of 7.4 per cent,” he said, adding that India’s ascent among global superpowers is well-deserved, supported by its rapid economic development and strategic vision.
Reflecting on the unique relationship between the two nations, Putin recalled the Soviet Union’s supportive role during India’s journey to independence, which he said strengthened “relations that are unique in terms of quality and degree of trust. This historical foundation has paved the way for today’s comprehensive bilateral ties, which encompass various spheres, from trade to defence.”
Highlighting the growth of the bilateral trade, Putin said that the trade turnover between India and Russia has reached nearly $ 60 billion. He cited the BrahMos missile project as a prime example of their close defence cooperation, adding that this joint venture not only reflects shared trust but also showcases India and Russia’s commitment to co-developing advanced military technology.
“The Brahmos systems are used in the air and in the sea and this partnership is something that people know about and this testifies to the high level of trust and the high level of our partnership it is going to continue in the future,” Putin said. The BrahMos is named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers of India and Russia. It was formed as a joint venture between Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya. “We don’t just sell our weapons to India; we engage in joint research and design them together,” he said.
Furthermore, Putin spoke about the BRICS bloc, in which India and Russia are key members, describing it as a prototype for modern, non-bloc international cooperation. The Russian leader also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s contributions to the India-Russia strategic partnership.
