India Russia Ties / Putin Says PM Modi Will Never Give In to Pressure, Hails India as 'Great Power'
·4 months ago·3 min read
Key Points
- Putin called India a “great power” under PM Modi and said the country won’t yield to external pressure.
- On US sanctions affecting India–Russia defence deals, Putin noted most transactions are in national currencies and solutions exist for challenges
- He praised Modi personally, highlighting their trust, integrity, and strong bilateral rapport.
New Delhi, Dec 5: Russian President Vladimir Putin lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decisive and steadfast leadership, saying India has emerged as a “great power” under him and will not bend to external pressure.
In an exclusive interaction with India Today and Aaj Tak, commenting on the recent US sanctions on India and their possible impact on India–Russia defence ties, Putin said, “Well, the world can see that one cannot talk to India the way they used to talk 77 years ago, as India is a great power now. PM Modi is not someone who will give in to pressure. The Indian nation can take pride in its Prime Minister, as PM Modi has a firm position, which is evident. And I do not think that by doing this, we are going into any kind of confrontation with anyone. We are simply trying to defend our legitimate interests.”
On potential obstacles in defence transactions due to sanctions, he added, “The obstacles are transactions and payments. But more than 80–90 per cent of our transactions are in our respective national currencies. There are certain difficulties, but there are solutions to them. Those who have made attempts to limit these transactions will sooner or later incur losses. And I think once this understanding settles in, this practice of pressure from outside will come to an end.”
Putin also highlighted his personal regard for PM Modi, saying, “He is deeply committed to strengthening ties across economic cooperation, defence, humanitarian engagement, and high-technology development. He is a person of integrity. India got lucky. He lives and breathes India. We have very trustworthy and friendly relations. He is a very reliable person. I’m speaking very sincerely.”
Recalling Modi’s earlier visit to Moscow, Putin described their private interaction: “He travelled here, and we sat together at my residence. We drank tea the whole evening and discussed a range of topics… purely like humans.”
On Thursday, Prime Minister Modi personally received Putin at New Delhi’s Palam Airport. The two leaders then drove together in the Prime Minister’s car to his residence, where Modi hosted a private dinner.
Also Read: ‘Just Friends in One Car’: Putin on SCO Ride as PM Modi Breaks Protocol Again
This meeting comes three months after their interaction in Tianjin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, where Putin drew attention by driving Modi in his personal vehicle — a symbolic gesture of personal rapport amid shifting global geopolitical currents.
In an exclusive interaction with India Today and Aaj Tak, commenting on the recent US sanctions on India and their possible impact on India–Russia defence ties, Putin said, “Well, the world can see that one cannot talk to India the way they used to talk 77 years ago, as India is a great power now. PM Modi is not someone who will give in to pressure. The Indian nation can take pride in its Prime Minister, as PM Modi has a firm position, which is evident. And I do not think that by doing this, we are going into any kind of confrontation with anyone. We are simply trying to defend our legitimate interests.”
On potential obstacles in defence transactions due to sanctions, he added, “The obstacles are transactions and payments. But more than 80–90 per cent of our transactions are in our respective national currencies. There are certain difficulties, but there are solutions to them. Those who have made attempts to limit these transactions will sooner or later incur losses. And I think once this understanding settles in, this practice of pressure from outside will come to an end.”
Putin also highlighted his personal regard for PM Modi, saying, “He is deeply committed to strengthening ties across economic cooperation, defence, humanitarian engagement, and high-technology development. He is a person of integrity. India got lucky. He lives and breathes India. We have very trustworthy and friendly relations. He is a very reliable person. I’m speaking very sincerely.”
Recalling Modi’s earlier visit to Moscow, Putin described their private interaction: “He travelled here, and we sat together at my residence. We drank tea the whole evening and discussed a range of topics… purely like humans.”
On Thursday, Prime Minister Modi personally received Putin at New Delhi’s Palam Airport. The two leaders then drove together in the Prime Minister’s car to his residence, where Modi hosted a private dinner.
Also Read: ‘Just Friends in One Car’: Putin on SCO Ride as PM Modi Breaks Protocol Again
This meeting comes three months after their interaction in Tianjin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, where Putin drew attention by driving Modi in his personal vehicle — a symbolic gesture of personal rapport amid shifting global geopolitical currents.
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