India pursuing independent, sovereign policy under PM Modi: Vladimir Putin

PN Narendra Modi with Russia's Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week, reaffirming the “strong and time-tested” nature of relations between Moscow and New Delhi, ANI reported citing the official website of the Kremlin.

During a meeting with members of the Russian Government, Putin disclosed details of the exchange and underlined the stability of Russian-Indian relations, describing them as “based on a national consensus.” He also commended India’s governance and economic growth under Modi’s leadership.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India is pursuing a completely independent, sovereign policy and, most importantly, is achieving very good results in the economic sphere. India is demonstrating the highest economic growth rates among the world’s major economies,” Putin said.

According to TV BRICS, the call followed a congratulatory telegram sent by Putin on Modi’s 75th birthday. In his message, the Russian President highlighted the Indian leader’s role in bilateral ties. “You [Narendra Modi] are making a great personal contribution to strengthening the special privileged strategic partnership between our countries and developing mutually beneficial Russian-Indian cooperation in various areas,” he noted.

Putin also expressed confidence in the continuation of “constructive dialogue and joint work on topical issues on the regional and international agenda.”

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has often described Russia as a longstanding and time-tested partner, noting that the “Declaration on the India-Russia Strategic Partnership” signed in October 2000 during Putin’s visit remains a key pillar of India’s foreign policy.

On the sidelines of the ongoing 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The Russian Embassy in India confirmed the meeting on X, stating: “Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and EAM Dr S. Jaishankar hold a meeting on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.”

*With Agency Inputs