Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed the strong India-Russia strategic partnership at SPIEF, highlighting decades of military cooperation built on mutual trust. Putin referenced the Su-57 fighter jet offer to India, praised the BrahMos missile programme, lauded India’s skilled workforce, and emphasized New Delhi’s independent foreign policy decisions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed the enduring strength of India-Russia relations, emphasizing that the strategic partnership between the two nations extends far beyond trade and is firmly rooted in mutual trust, particularly in the field of defence cooperation. Speaking at the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Friday, Putin highlighted the decades-long military collaboration between Moscow and New Delhi and indicated Russia’s willingness to deepen that relationship further through advanced defence technologies, including the Su-57 fighter aircraft.
During the session, moderated by India Today, Putin described India and Russia as long-standing partners whose cooperation has evolved from traditional trade ties into joint development projects and strategic initiatives. He stressed that military collaboration remains one of the strongest pillars of bilateral relations.
“India and Russia share a long-standing tradition of military collaboration built on mutual trust,” Putin said, noting that the relationship has consistently expanded through collaborative projects and defence partnerships. He pointed out that India has procured numerous aircraft and helicopters from Russia over the years, underscoring the significance of Russian defence equipment in India’s military modernization efforts.
The Russian President also drew attention to the Su-57 stealth fighter aircraft, one of Russia’s most advanced combat platforms. Putin stated that the aircraft has been offered to India, a remark that is likely to attract attention within defence and strategic circles. The Su-57 is considered Russia’s fifth-generation fighter jet and is designed to provide advanced stealth capabilities, superior maneuverability, and cutting-edge combat systems.
Highlighting successful examples of bilateral defence cooperation, Putin referred to the BrahMos missile programme as a model of effective collaboration between Indian and Russian experts. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, jointly developed by the two countries, has emerged as one of the most successful defence projects in the world and continues to play a key role in India’s military capabilities.
Beyond defence, Putin praised India’s independent foreign policy approach. He stated that India has consistently demonstrated its commitment to sovereign decision-making and has never allowed external forces to dictate its national interests.
“India has never followed any diktat from abroad,” Putin remarked, emphasizing the importance of sovereignty in international affairs. He added that sovereign nations such as India and China make decisions based on their own national priorities, and such independence deserves respect on the global stage.
The Russian leader also addressed attempts by some countries to pressure India regarding its cooperation with Russia. Referring specifically to discussions surrounding India’s engagement with Moscow, Putin argued that applying pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the world’s most populous nation would be counterproductive for international relations and bilateral partnerships.
According to Putin, the international community increasingly recognizes that coercive measures aimed at influencing India’s strategic decisions are detrimental to constructive global engagement. He maintained that strong partnerships should be based on mutual respect rather than external pressure.
In addition, Putin expressed admiration for India’s growing talent pool and educational achievements. He described India and Russia as enjoying “very good, trust-based, brotherly relations” and praised the capabilities of Indian professionals, particularly in technology and software development.
“We know how talented the Indian people are, how well-educated and competent they are. They have achieved worldwide renown, especially in coding,” Putin said.
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His remarks at SPIEF reflect Moscow’s continued commitment to strengthening ties with New Delhi across defence, technology, economic cooperation, and strategic affairs. As geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve, Putin’s statements underscore Russia’s view of India as a key partner and an independent global power whose relationship with Moscow remains founded on trust, mutual respect, and long-term cooperation.
