New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s highly awaited interview with the India Today Group the President’s comments were filled with personal praise for PM Modi and firm assertions of national sovereignty in the face of Western pressure.
The Friendship of Two Leaders and Nations
The Russian leader emphasized that the relationship with India is not just diplomatic but one of deep, proven trust, which is vital in the current geopolitical environment. Putin was demonstrative in his praise for the Indian Prime Minister: “We have very trustworthy and friendly relations. He is a very reliable person. In that sense, I’m speaking very sincerely. India got lucky. He lives and breathes India.” Putin acknowledged India’s ambition but said that it needed “stability among major Nations since these forms the groundwork for gradual progress in both bilateral and international relations” and how this stability “helps secure the fulfilment of our objectives, very challenging task for the country and for himself in the first place then for the administration and eventually for the nation.”
Putin confirmed that Russia–India transactions increasingly use national currencies, while discussions about a single BRICS currency continue without a definitive rejection. The President pointed out major areas of joint work, mentioning Modi’s signature initiative ‘Make in India’ he also adds “lot of practical area for cooperation” across sectors like “high technology major collaboration on that,” “space exploration, energy, nuclear power,” and specifically the “Kudan Kulam nuclear power plant project,” “ship building,” and “aviation.” The relationship is also deeply rooted in defence, covering “naval, construction, rocket and missile engineering and aircraft engineering,” as well as civilian nuclear projects where Russian company Rosatom builds and operates nuclear reactors, nuclear power plants.
Trade, Sanctions, and Strategic Autonomy
Putin head on answered questions about western strategy of sanctions and pressure, defending the India-Russia trade relationship as both necessary and legitimate. When he was questioned, he stated that “pressure” involves “employing political instruments to influence normal competition.” He insisted that energy cooperation with India “remains unaffected by sanctions, political swings and even tragic events in Ukraine.” When asked about fuel trade, he pointed out a major hypocrisy as US claims a moral high ground, Putin said “US also buys fuel from Russia for their nuclear plants, why shouldn’t India.”
Trump and the Shifting Global Landscape
Putin also notes the domestic political purposes of US administration while affirming Russia’s focus on its own interests. When asked about Trump’s reaction on the current situation, he said “Trump has his own goals, we have our own and are not against anyone, rather aim at safeguarding our respective interests, we cause no harm to others and I believe that other leaders should appreciate this”. Putin shared his geopolitical analysis by highlighting “the global power landscape is changing too” and that the foundational partnership with India is crucial because of its capacity for “interest ability among major Nations.” This stability, he argued, is the essential groundwork for progress in bilateral and international relations.
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