Russian President Vladimir Putin has described India and Russia as trusted and brotherly partners, reaffirming Moscow’s commitment to deepening cooperation with New Delhi across strategic, technological and defence sectors.

Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday, Putin praised India’s technological capabilities and highly skilled workforce, particularly in the fields of coding and innovation, while emphasising the enduring strength of bilateral ties.

“We have had very good, trust-based, brotherly relations in all senses of the word,” Putin said, adding that Indians are globally recognised for their talent, education and expertise in technology-related sectors.

His remarks come at a time when India and Russia continue to expand engagement in energy, defence, trade and emerging technologies despite evolving geopolitical challenges.

Russia Reaffirms Commitment To India

Highlighting Moscow’s approach to international partnerships, Putin said Russia’s cooperation with India remains independent of political pressures and external influence.

“Our cooperation with India, just like with all other partners of ours, is not subject to the political environment,” he said. Putin stressed that Russia would continue to honour commitments made to its partners and maintain reliable supply chains.

The Russian leader noted that Moscow has increased supplies to the Indian market and across Asia, while continuing to share technological solutions and expertise with its partners.

His comments appeared aimed at underscoring Russia’s long-term commitment to India despite ongoing global tensions and sanctions-related challenges affecting international trade and commerce.

Defence Cooperation Remains A Key Pillar

Putin also highlighted the decades-long defence relationship between the two countries, describing military and technical cooperation as one of the strongest pillars of the bilateral partnership.

He noted that a significant portion of India’s military equipment has traditionally been sourced from Russia, a relationship that dates back to the Soviet era. According to Putin, the partnership has evolved beyond conventional buyer-seller arrangements into collaborative research and development projects.

Among the examples cited was the jointly developed BrahMos supersonic cruise missile programme, widely regarded as one of the most successful defence collaborations between the two nations.

Putin also referred to India’s longstanding procurement of Russian aircraft and defence systems, emphasising that mutual trust continues to underpin cooperation in the sector.

India Guided By National Interests, Says Putin

The Russian President praised India’s independent foreign policy and decision-making, stating that New Delhi consistently acts in accordance with its national interests.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Putin said India has maintained a sovereign approach in navigating complex international developments. He added that India remains free to choose products and technologies that best suit its requirements and offer the most competitive value.

Putin also noted that India’s relations with major global powers continue to evolve while maintaining strategic autonomy, a principle that has long guided New Delhi’s foreign policy.

His remarks are likely to be viewed as another indication of the close strategic understanding between Moscow and New Delhi, particularly as both countries seek to expand cooperation in energy security, defence manufacturing, technology and connectivity.

India and Russia have maintained a special and privileged strategic partnership for decades, with regular high-level engagements continuing to reinforce cooperation across multiple sectors. Putin’s comments at the economic forum underscore the importance Moscow continues to place on its relationship with New Delhi amid a rapidly changing global order.

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