Putin lauds Modi’s India as ‘a giant’, backs permanent UN seat

MOSCOW – Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has heaped praise on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and backed India’s inclusion in a reformed United Nations Security Council, in a grievance-filled speech at an annual discussion forum. 

Mr Putin’s comments come as the war in Ukraine remains in a stalemate.

The Russian leader has cast the conflict as a struggle against Western hegemony and dominance. 

International laws must be amended in line with the “requirements and demands of today and in accordance with the changes in the situation in the world”, Mr Putin said.

He added that he believes countries like Brazil, India and South Africa deserve greater representation at the UN.  

With a population of 1.5 billion people and strong economic growth, India “is a giant in the world”, Mr Putin said.

He added that India’s high-tech exports are growing exponentially, and the country is getting stronger each year under Mr Modi’s leadership.

Mr Putin also said that the West was “flirting” with India and trying to draw it into its orbit.

But he praised the Modi government for continuing to act independently. 

India and Russia maintain close ties despite pressure from the West.

India continues to buy record quantities of Russian oil at steep discounts and

has long relied on Russian weapons

for its military.

India has abstained from all UN General Assembly votes denouncing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

The South Asian nation has lobbied for a permanent seat in the Security Council for decades. Russia’s diplomatic ally China is strongly opposed to the proposal.

The council has five permanent members – China, France, Russia, Britain and the US – and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. 

India’s two-year term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council ended in 2022. BLOOMBERG