India's relations with Russia are based on "mutual trust and respect", said the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi during his visit to Moscow, reports "Reuters". He emphasized that he appreciates the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, reports News.bg.
Modi addressed the Indian diaspora on his first visit to Russia in five years.
His two-day visit coincides with the NATO summit in Washington, which is expected to focus on the war in Ukraine. However, a senior Indian foreign ministry official clarified last week that Modi's visit was part of a long-standing calendar of summits between the two countries and was unrelated to the Alliance meeting.
"Every Indian considers Russia a friend of India in good times and bad", stressed Modi.
"The commitment of our relationship has been tested many times and each time has proved very strong," he noted, adding that he appreciates his "dear friend" Putin about it.
For decades, Russia has been India's largest arms supplier, and New Delhi and Moscow have maintained close ties since Soviet times.
The West, especially the US, is seeking to strengthen ties with India as a potential counterweight to a rising China in the region.
However, New Delhi and the West take different positions on Russia's war in Ukraine.
Yesterday the US State Department expressed concern to India about its relations with Russia.
India refrained from criticizing Russia and increased its purchases of cheap Russian oil to record levels. At the same time, however, the country calls on Ukraine and Russia to resolve their conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
Putin welcomed Modi late last night, hailing the Indian leader as his "dear friend" and stated that he was "very happy" to see it.
Just before Modi met Putin, at least 41 people were killed in a Russian missile attack on a hospital in Kiev.
Later, when Modi posted on social media a photo of himself hugging Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was a "huge disappointment and a crushing blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the greatest democracy in the world to embrace in Moscow the bloodiest criminal in the world on such a day.
Putin and Modi are expected to hold formal talks in the Kremlin later today, focusing on cheaper energy supplies and deeper economic and strategic ties.