Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday praised the longstanding friendship between India and Russia, expressing confidence that it will help both nations confront global challenges in the future. Speaking at a joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is on a two-day official visit to India, Modi said, “Your excellency, I have full faith that in the coming future, our friendship will enable us to face global challenges and it is this belief that will further strengthen and enrich our shared future.”
Modi highlighted the countries’ cooperation in combating terrorism, referring to the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir and the 2024 attack on Russia’s Crocus City Hall, noting that both stem from the same roots. “India believes that terrorism is a direct assault on the values of humanity, and global unity against it is our greatest strength,” he said.
The Prime Minister also announced a joint economic cooperation program aiming to expand trade until 2030 and emphasized infrastructure connectivity projects, including the International North–South Transport Corridor, Northern Sea Route, and Chennai–Vladivostok Maritime Corridor, stating that work will commence “with new zest.”
President Putin thanked President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi for the warm welcome and described the bilateral dialogue as “very helpful for our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.” He noted that last year’s bilateral trade turnover grew by 12 per cent, setting a record, and expects the figure to remain at a similar level this year. Putin also confirmed that he would act on the list of challenges Modi presented during their discussions, reinforcing the commitment to a close, ongoing partnership between the two nations.