From backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi against external pressure to offering deeper defence cooperation and praising India’s economic rise, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a series of remarks in support of New Delhi during interactions with international media on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Putin’s remarks covered everything from India’s economic growth and defence ties with Russia to pressure from the West and relations with China. He repeatedly underlined that India should be free to pursue its own interests and decisions.
Five key points are:
1. Pressure on PM Modi is ‘detrimental’
Putin took a swipe at attempts by other countries to influence India’s ties with Russia, saying such pressure was harmful to international relations.
“The US is trying to pressure India, for example, when it comes to cooperation with Russia. But putting pressure on Narendra Modi is detrimental for international relations and bilateral relations. It doesn’t matter where this pressure comes from,” he said.
The Russian leader added that India was fully entitled to make decisions based on its own national interests.
2. India is a ‘great country’ and a leading economy
Praising India’s growth story, Putin described the country as one of the world’s major economies and credited the Modi government for sustaining high growth rates.
“India is one of the leading economies of the world that shows the highest rates of economic growth. This is not something that comes out of the blue. This is a result of the hard work that the government has been doing under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.”
He also called India a “great country” with a large economy and the world’s largest democracy.
3. Russia is ready to supply and jointly develop Su-57 fighter jets
Putin said Moscow remains open to expanding defence cooperation with India, including on the Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft.
Recalling earlier discussions, he said Russia had once proposed a joint programme with India and remains willing to cooperate on both supplying and further developing the platform.
“We are ready to work with India in this field, to supply this aircraft and to keep developing it,” he said.
He added that Russia would also continue cooperation in air defence systems.
4. India-China ties should be handled without outside interference
Putin said relations between India and China were complex and sensitive, and should not be influenced by external players.
“These are delicate, multi-faceted relations between India and China, and interfering in them is not a good idea,” he said.
Putin expressed confidence that Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping would continue addressing bilateral issues through dialogue.
5. India-Russia trade can touch $100 billion
The Russian President also struck an optimistic note on economic ties, saying bilateral trade could eventually reach $100 billion.
He cited cooperation in energy, nuclear power, hydrocarbons and investments as areas driving growth.
“We have all the foundations to work more actively and to reach more ambitious goals,” Putin said.
The remarks come as India-Russia trade has expanded significantly in recent years, driven largely by energy imports and growing economic engagement.
A relationship built over decades
Putin repeatedly referred to India and Russia as partners with a long and trusted history, describing the relationship as a “special privileged strategic partnership”.
He said ties between the two countries were rooted in decades of cooperation and expressed confidence that defence, economic and diplomatic engagement would continue to deepen in the years ahead.