Meeting in Russia - Putin and Modi invoke close cooperation in Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the close and decades-long bilateral relations during their official talks in Moscow. India and Russia share a "privileged strategic partnership," Putin said during the meeting at the Kremlin. Trade between the two nations increased by 60% in the previous year, amounting to approximately 60.5 billion Euros, with Indian imports of oil and fertilizers from Russia accounting for the largest share.
"Every Indian feels in their heart that Russia is a friend of India in good and bad times," Modi said during a meeting with representatives of the Indian community in Moscow. "This relationship is based on a strong foundation of mutual trust and respect." The 73-year-old leader also praised Putin's (71) leadership qualities.
China as an Unspoken Theme
India has historically good relations with Russia. However, India also maintains good relations with Western countries, which are increasingly eager to collaborate with India in the face of an increasingly assertive China. Russia's proximity to China is a concern for India.
"India is seen as a strong pillar of the new, emerging, multipolar world order," Modi emphasized. "When India speaks of peace, dialogue, and diplomacy, the whole world listens. Whenever the world is confronted with a crisis, India is the first to arrive."
Pragmatic Attitude of India towards the Ukraine Conflict
India takes a pragmatic approach towards the Ukraine conflict. Due to cheap Russian oil as a result of Western sanctions, India has become one of the largest importers. At the same time, the Indian leadership continues to call for dialogue on all sides. Putin thanked Modi for his attention towards resolving the Ukraine conflict.
The Kremlin chief's international contacts have been limited due to the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. Putin went all out to entertain Modi since Monday. Putin received his guest at his residence on the outskirts of Moscow. The two reportedly spoke for three hours and rode in an electric cart together, as well as attended a horse show.
Criticism from Ukraine
The warm embrace of Modi for Putin, along with images of a destroyed children's hospital in Kiev, drew criticism. "It is a great disappointment and a deep blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world's largest democracy embrace the bloodiest criminal of the world on this day in Moscow," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on his X account. In Indian social media, Modi was defended: Just like Western politicians, he represents the interests of his country.
- Despite Russia's proximity to China being a concern for India, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the strength of their "privileged strategic partnership," with trade between the two nations increasing by 60% last year.
- Modi praised Russia's role as a friend of India during good and bad times, emphasizing that this relationship is built on mutual trust and respect.
- India, being seen as a strong pillar of the new, emerging, multipolar world order, has good relations with Western countries, who are eager to collaborate with India due to an increasingly assertive China.
- Taking a pragmatic approach towards the Ukraine conflict, India continues to call for dialogue on all sides while also becoming one of the largest importers of cheap Russian oil due to Western sanctions.
- Putin, limited in his international contacts due to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, went out of his way to entertain Modi during their three-hour meeting in Moscow, even attending a horse show together.
- Despite criticism from Ukraine and the international community, Modi's interactions with Putin were defended on Indian social media, with many arguing that he was representing the interests of his country like other Western leaders.
- Modi underscored India's commitment to peace, dialogue, and diplomacy, emphasizing that whenever the world is confronted with a crisis, India is among the first to arrive, highlighting India's role as a key player in international relations.
