AMN / NEWS DESK
Russian President Vladimir Putin strongly endorsed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy approach, saying attempts by any country to pressure India over its ties with Russia would not succeed and could weaken international relations.
Speaking during an interaction with international news agency heads at Constantine Palace in St Petersburg, Putin said India’s global standing and independent decision-making had become widely recognised. Referring to external pressure over India’s cooperation with Moscow, he said countries had realised that New Delhi pursues policies guided by national interests and strategic autonomy rather than outside influence.
His remarks come as India continues balancing close relations with Russia while expanding engagement with western countries despite sanctions imposed on Moscow after the Ukraine conflict.
Responding to the comments, India’s Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that the country’s foreign policy rests on long-standing principles and remains unchanged. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India continues to maintain partnerships with multiple global powers without allowing one relationship to undermine another.
Putin also signalled deeper defence cooperation, saying Russia remains open to jointly producing the fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 with India and reviving earlier discussions on advanced fighter collaboration.
Highlighting economic ties, Putin said bilateral trade could eventually touch $100 billion from the current level of around $60 billion. He also pointed to continued cooperation in civil nuclear energy, including expansion around the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant project, and described India as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies under Modi’s leadership.