In his annual address to the Valdai Discussion Club, a think tank in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday that India has made significant economic progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Putin praised PM Narendra Modi's independent foreign policy and said that India has accomplished a lot under his leadership.
According to Reuters' translation of Putin's statement made in Russian, the Russian president also referred to Prime Minister Modi as a patriot of the nation, according to news agency ANI.
"A lot has been done under the leadership of PM Modi. He is a patriot of his country. His idea of 'Make in India' matters both economic wise and in ethics. Future belongs to India, it can be proud of the fact that it's the largest democracy in the world," the Kremlin said at Valdai Discussion Club, as per the translation.
The Russian president called India's transformation from a British colony to a modern state "tremendous," and he added that India's population of 1.5 billion people and its demonstrable progress are causes for everyone's respect and admiration.
He emphasised the bond between India and Russia even more, referring to it as special.
"It has been underpinned by a close ally relationship of many decades. We've never had any difficult issues and supported each other and that's happening right now. I'm sure it'll happen in future," Putin said as per the translation.
Putin also emphasised that PM Modi had asked him to increase the supply of fertilisers, which is crucial for Indian agriculture.
Putin's speech to the Kremlin-affiliated institute comes as Russia, more than eight months after beginning its invasion on February 24, continues to deepen the conflict in Ukraine.
In his high-profile address, he also criticised the West for engaging in "dirty games" to maintain global dominance and expressed his conviction that sooner rather than later, "new centers of power will emerge in the multipolar world and the West will have to start talking as equals about our common future."
He did, however, add that the US and its allies are not safe from the results of their own deeds. During the discussion, Putin stated that the West cannot ignore the issues it has sparked.
"Only a world united by common goals can act on the challenges it faces," the Russian president added.
"Power over the world is what the West has put at stake in the game it plays. This game is certainly dangerous, bloody and I would call it dirty."
He emphasised how western nations are robbing everyone, even themselves, in an effort to impose their ideals and vision as universal.
"First of all, this eradicates the creative potential of the West itself," he warned.
"There is a mercantile interest here too" the Russian leader added, reported Russian Television.
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