By Tanmay 
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised PM Narendra Modi’s leadership and India’s economic growth while dismissing Western attempts to pressure New Delhi over its Russia partnership. He projected $100 billion bilateral trade soon.
St. Petersburg, : Russian President Vladimir Putin has strongly endorsed India’s independent foreign policy and its strategic partnership with Russia, calling Western attempts to pressure New Delhi “futile” and detrimental to global stability.
Speaking at a meeting with global media heads, including PTI, in St. Petersburg, Putin India relations took centre stage as the Russian leader lavished praise on India’s economic progress and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
“India is one of the world’s major economies and is currently demonstrating impressive economic growth,” Putin said. He credited the success to “the hard work put in by the Indian government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
Putin projected that bilateral trade between India and Russia will reach $100 billion in the coming years and described India as a “trusted partner” and “strong democracy.”
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No Conflict with India-US Ties
Addressing India’s growing closeness with the United States, Putin made it clear that New Delhi’s multi-alignment policy does not harm its longstanding relationship with Moscow.
“India is strengthening ties with nations it deems crucial to its national interest, and we are pleased with this stance,” he said. “New Delhi will continue to prioritize its national interests.”
He also alleged that Western nations have tried to pressure India over its cooperation with Russia but stressed such efforts are counterproductive. “Everyone now realizes that pressuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India is detrimental to international relations,” Putin added.
Congress Reacts Sharply
The remarks triggered a sharp response from the Congress party. Pawan Khera, head of the party’s media department, said:
“In diplomacy, no one delivers a direct punch; it is always done while wearing a velvet glove… The velvet glove represents the praise for Modi. But the real punch is the warning: ‘Do not get too close to America’.”
তন্ময় ‘প্রাইমইনসাইট’ (PrimeInsight)-এর প্রতিষ্ঠাতা ও প্রধান লেখক। কলকাতা-ভিত্তিক একজন উৎসাহী ব্লগার ও স্বতন্ত্র ভাষ্যকার হিসেবে তিনি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ বিষয়গুলোর ওপর তীক্ষ্ণ ও বাস্তবসম্মত দৃষ্টিভঙ্গি তুলে ধরেন।
সঙ্গীত, সমসাময়িক ঘটনাপ্রবাহ এবং রাজনীতি—এই ক্ষেত্রগুলোতে গভীর জ্ঞানের অধিকারী ইন্দ্রজিৎ তাঁর লেখায় সাংস্কৃতিক উপলব্ধির সাথে রাজনৈতিক বিশ্লেষণের সমন্বয় ঘটান। জাতীয় ও বৈশ্বিক ঘটনাবলির সাথে সংযোগ বজায় রাখার পাশাপাশি তাঁর লেখায় কলকাতার বৌদ্ধিক ও শৈল্পিক সত্তার প্রতিফলনও ফুটে ওঠে।