Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that pressure on India to scale back its relationship with Russia could undermine global stability.
Speaking to reporters in Saint Petersburg, Putin said India has emerged as one of the world’s major economies and credited the country’s rise to policies pursued under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Putin said Russia aims to raise annual bilateral trade with India from the current level of about Rs 5.70 lakh crore to around Rs 9.50 lakh crore, and to broaden overall engagement between the two countries.
He alleged that some Western countries are urging India to reduce ties with Russia, describing such moves as a test of the friendship. Putin said Russia’s relationship with India, “a very large democratic country,” would continue to strengthen and that plans for deeper cooperation are ready.
