Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, highlighting the progressive development of relations between India and Russia under Modi's guarantee. Putin also said he was "surprised" by Modi's tough stance on defending the national security interests of India.
While addressing the "Russia Calling!" Forum, Putin said Modi cannot be intimidated by any pressure from unfriendly countries, reported TASS news agency. "I want to say that relations between Russia and India are developing progressively along all trajectories, and the main guarantor of this is the policy pursued by Prime Minister Modi," the Russian leader said at the event.
Speaking on international pressure, Putin said he "cannot imagine that Modi could be frightened, intimidated or forced to take any actions, steps, decisions that would be at variance with the national interests of India and the Indian people".
"I just look at what is happening from the outside, and sometimes, frankly speaking, I am even surprised at his tough stance on defending the national interests of the Indian state," Putin further noted in his praise of Modi at the investment forum.
The Russian President also asserted the importance of increasing settlements in national currencies between Russia and India, emphasising that Russia stands for a "truly democratic model" of global economic development, reported Sputnik.