St. Petersburg: Russian President Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed India’s growing importance on the global stage, describing it as one of the four leading nations shaping the emerging international order. Speaking on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Putin highlighted Moscow’s commitment to strengthening ties with New Delhi while addressing key issues related to regional security, defence cooperation, and the evolving geopolitical landscape in Asia.
During an interaction with representatives of major international news agencies, including the Press Trust of India (PTI), Putin identified China, the United States, India, and Russia as the principal powers influencing global affairs. His remarks underscored Russia’s view of India as a major strategic partner and a rising global power with an increasingly significant role in international decision-making.
One of the most important announcements from the interaction was Putin’s renewed proposal for deeper defence and technological collaboration between Russia and India. The Russian President confirmed that Moscow has formally offered New Delhi an opportunity to jointly develop and manufacture the Su-57, Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft.
According to Putin, the proposal goes beyond a conventional arms sale and focuses on technology sharing and co-production. He stated that Russia is prepared to work closely with India in the field of advanced fighter aircraft technology and is willing to transfer critical know-how that would allow Indian industries to participate in manufacturing key components.
Drawing parallels with the highly successful BrahMos missile programme, which is jointly developed by India and Russia, Putin suggested that the Su-57 partnership could enable India to integrate indigenous systems and strengthen its domestic defence manufacturing capabilities. Such cooperation would align with India’s long-term goal of achieving greater self-reliance in defence production.
Putin also addressed concerns regarding the changing strategic dynamics in South Asia, particularly the growing partnership between China and Pakistan. Responding to questions about whether Pakistan has become overly dependent on Beijing, the Russian leader rejected the idea that Islamabad functions as a proxy of China.
He noted that Pakistan is a large and influential country with relationships extending beyond a single partner. While acknowledging the close cooperation between China and Pakistan, Putin maintained that Islamabad pursues its own national interests and maintains diverse international connections.
On the sensitive issue of the India-China border dispute, Putin adopted a cautious and balanced position. He emphasized that Russia does not intend to interfere in bilateral matters between New Delhi and Beijing. Describing India-China relations as complex and multifaceted, he expressed confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping possess the political will to resolve outstanding border issues through peaceful dialogue and diplomacy.
The Russian President further reassured India that Moscow’s expanding ties with China should not be interpreted as a shift away from its long-standing partnership with New Delhi. He stressed that Russia’s relationships with both countries have developed independently over decades and are not mutually exclusive.
