Vladimir Putin Calls India-Russia Ties ‘Brotherly’, Highlights Deep Strategic Partnership

Russian President Vladimir Putin has underlined the strength of India-Russia ties, describing the relationship as one built on trust, mutual respect and long-standing cooperation. Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Putin said the partnership extends beyond traditional diplomacy and remains resilient despite changing global political circumstances.

Highlighting the depth of bilateral ties, Putin said, "We have had very good, trust-based, brotherly relations in all senses of the word. We know how talented the Indian people are, how well educated. Indians have great competencies, which have achieved world renown, especially in coding and in other fields...Prime Minister Modi had to introduce certain restrictions here, asking people not to use personal cars, not to travel long distances, due to what is happening in the Strait of Hormuz...I think our companies did the right thing and the Indian counterparts did the right thing when they decided to embark on this path of close cooperation, because right now we are trying to lend a helping hand and give our shoulder, increasing supplies to the Indian market and to Asia in general, and we certainly keep sharing our technological solutions."

His remarks reflected Moscow’s view that India remains one of its most important strategic partners, particularly in areas such as energy, technology and economic cooperation.

How Important Is India for Russia’s Strategic and Economic Interests?

Putin's comments suggest that Russia sees India as a key partner in both economic and geopolitical terms. He emphasized Russia’s willingness to support India during periods of global uncertainty, particularly in the energy sector.

The Russian President pointed to increased supplies to India and broader Asian markets, while also stressing Russia’s readiness to share technological expertise. His remarks come at a time when global supply chains and energy markets continue to face disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions.

What Did Putin Say About Russia’s Commitments to India?

A major theme of Putin’s address was Russia’s reliability as a partner. He argued that Moscow’s relations with New Delhi are not shaped by external political pressures and reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to honoring agreements with India.

"Our cooperation with India, just like with all other partners of ours, is not subject to the political environment. We can't be dictated to not deliver that to India. Nobody can dictate to us and nobody would even try to do that... We will always stand true to commitments given to our partners, especially partners like India...," he said.

The statement is significant because it underscores Russia’s intention to maintain cooperation with India regardless of broader geopolitical developments or international pressure.

How Deep Are India and Russia’s Defence Ties?

Defence cooperation remains one of the most important pillars of the India-Russia relationship. Putin highlighted the long history of military collaboration between the two countries, much of which dates back to the Soviet era.

According to Putin, "India and we have a very good, long-standing relationship in terms of military and technical cooperation interaction. A significant portion of the armed forces of India is equipped with Russian equipment. This is a tradition that dates back to the Soviet times. Our relations with the Indian friends are specific, thanks to our mutual trust. We concentrate not just on trade, buying and selling, but also on joint research and development. Indian and Russian experts have been working on the design of the mid-range missile BrahMos. India has traditionally been purchasing aircraft from us..."

His remarks highlighted that the partnership is not limited to defence procurement but also includes joint development and research projects, with the BrahMos missile programme often cited as a flagship example of bilateral technological collaboration.

What Did Putin Say About India’s Strategic Autonomy?

Putin also praised India’s independent foreign policy approach and described the country as a sovereign actor that prioritises its own national interests.

He stated, "India always acts as a sovereign country and under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, any potential threats of sanctions would boomerang immediately. We have been in close talks with Prime Minister Modi for a long while... All the sanctions have been eliminated and the relationship between the USA and India is developing successfully, as I understand... India is free to choose the products that they consider to be most up to date, most applicable for them and obviously offering the best price-quality ratio. India is always guided by its national interests..."

The remarks reflect Russia’s recognition of India's policy of strategic autonomy, under which New Delhi seeks to maintain relationships with multiple global powers while making decisions based on its own economic and security priorities.

What Do Putin’s Remarks Indicate About the Future of India-Russia Relations?

Putin’s comments indicate that Moscow continues to view India as a trusted strategic partner across defence, energy, technology and economic sectors. By stressing mutual trust, joint innovation and Russia’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations, the Russian President signalled that the relationship remains a key pillar of Russia’s engagement with Asia.

At a time of shifting geopolitical alignments, his remarks suggest that both countries are likely to continue expanding cooperation while preserving the independent and pragmatic nature of their partnership.

(With inputs from ANI)