Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed strong support for India to be considered a global superpower. He pointed out India's fast-growing economy, large population, and rich cultural history as reasons for this. Speaking at an event in Sochi, Russia, he mentioned India's important role in world affairs and praised the strong relationship between India and Russia, which continues to grow.

Why does India deserve superpower status?

Putin said that India’s economy is currently growing faster than any other country’s. He praised India’s large population and economic progress, saying, “India should undoubtedly be added to the list of superpowers, with its billion-and-a-half population, the fastest growth among all economies in the world, ancient culture, and very good prospects for further growth.” Calling India a “great country,” he also mentioned that India is now the most populated country in the world, with around 10 million new people added each year.

Putin also talked about how well India and Russia are working together, saying that their relationship is growing in many areas and getting stronger every year. “Our vision of where and at what pace our relations will develop is based on today’s realities. The volume of our cooperation is increasing many times over, every year,” Putin was quoted by the Russian news agency Tass.

How strong are India-Russia defence ties?

Putin praised the close defence cooperation between India and Russia, pointing to a high level of mutual trust. “Look at how many types of Russian military equipment are in service with the Indian armed forces. There is a great degree of trust in this relationship. We don’t just sell our weapons to India; we design them jointly,” he said.

He mentioned the BrahMos cruise missile project as a key example of collaboration, noting that the missile has been adapted for use on land, at sea, and in the air. “In fact, we made it [the missile] fit for use in three environments: in air, in sea, and on land. These projects, conducted for the benefit of India’s security, are ongoing,” he explained. Putin emphasised that the continued joint development of military technology demonstrates both nations’ commitment to supporting each other’s security and growth. “This is widely known, and no one has issues with that, but these projects demonstrate a high level of mutual trust and cooperation,” he added.

What is Putin’s stance on India-China relations?

Putin also addressed India’s relationship with China, noting the ongoing border issues between the two countries. However, he expressed hope that leaders in both nations are working towards peaceful solutions. “Wise and competent people who keep the future of their nations in mind are searching for compromises and will eventually find them,” he said. “If this approach continues to gain momentum, compromises can be found and they will be found.”

The conflict between India and China at the Ladakh border became more serious in June 2020 after a violent clash in the Galwan Valley. However, on October 21, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that India and China had reached an agreement to resolve the issues. This deal will lead to the withdrawal of troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

Looking to the future, Putin confirmed that he is dedicated to improving the relationship between India and Russia, particularly in defence. He also expressed hope for continued cooperation in the long run. “So this is what we will keep doing in the near term and, I hope, will continue to do in the more distant future,” he said.