Just hours before setting foot on Indian soil, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an interview in the Catherine Hall of the Kremlin, which caught the attention of the world. For the first time, she openly discussed her personal views, feelings towards India and relations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to two Indian female journalists. This interview has come at the same time when India-Russia relations are at a new turning point and global politics is changing rapidly. During this conversation, Putin told the truth behind the story of the car ride with PM Modi during the SCO summit.
The day when Prime Minister Modi and Putin were seen sitting in the same Aurus Senate car after the SCO conference held in Tianjin, that moment became a part of history. When asked about this moment, Putin laughed lightly and said that there was no diplomatic formality in it. He himself had proposed that both of them should sit together and go. According to him, this step was a proof of personal trust and comfort between the two leaders. Putin also said that all this happened without any planning. As soon as we sat in the car the conversation started rapidly and even after reaching the destination the conversation continued for about 45 minutes.
Modi’s post, Putin’s wait and long conversation
While returning from the SCO conference, PM Modi had posted a picture with Putin on social media and wrote that conversations with him are always instructive. Reports from that day suggest that Putin himself waited for about ten minutes to receive the Prime Minister. Both of them went together from the conference venue to the hotel and even after reaching the hotel, an informal discussion continued for more than half an hour. This was the time when the world was witnessing slight tension in India-US relations, yet the warmth between India and Russia remained the same as before.
Why this message of friendship is important amid international tension
In recent times, there was tension in the economic relations between the two countries due to the taxes and warnings imposed by America on India regarding the purchase of Russian crude oil. Despite this, this scene of friendship between Putin and PM Modi gives a new signal to both public opinion and global politics that India does not take its diplomatic decisions under any pressure. Its relationship with Russia is strong not only at the strategic but also at the personal level.
This trip to India is historic
This visit of Putin has brought with it many historical references. For the first time after 2021, he is setting foot on Indian soil. This visit is taking place on the occasion of completion of 25 years of India-Russia partnership and along with it the 23rd annual bilateral summit is also being organized.
full tour schedule
With Putin’s arrival, Delhi honored him as a special guest. Breaking the tradition of protocol, Prime Minister Modi himself went to the airport and welcomed him. After that a special dinner was organized at the PM’s residence. Today the delegations of both the countries will sit face to face, in which many new guiding policies regarding military cooperation, technology, energy and trade are expected to be agreed upon. At the end of the day both the leaders will also issue a joint statement.
Also read: ‘There is nothing great in this because India…’, Putin’s clear answer to the question of Russia joining G-7
