Strategic cooperation between India and Russia strengthens, says President Putin

President Vladimir Putin, speaking at the 26th SCO summit in Bishkek, reiterated that the India‑Russia relationship is built on the principles of a privileged strategic partnership and is steadily strengthening. He singled out Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal dedication as a catalyst that has deepened not only business ties but also the warm, friendly rapport at the personal level. Putin expressed gratitude for Modi’s involvement, noting that it has helped translate strategic visions into concrete actions. He recalled the recent Moscow visit of Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, confirming full agreement with the statements made there. The two countries will mark the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027, and Russia is already preparing for the BRICS summit slated for New Delhi in September. Trade figures show a positive trajectory with a 2.6% rise in the first half of the current year, reversing a slight downturn previously observed. A recent inter‑governmental commission meeting in Moscow yielded promising outcomes. Moreover, the number of Indian students studying in Russia has expanded to approximately 40,000, a seven‑fold increase over the past decade, which Putin highlighted as a significant achievement.