MODI A PATRIOT, FUTURE BELONGS TO INDIA: PUTIN

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin in his address to Valdai Discussion Club, a Moscow-based think tank, on Thursday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s independent foreign policy even as he said that the future belongs to India while calling the PM a patriot of the country, as per the Reuters translation of Putin’s statement.

“A lot has been done under the leadership of PM Modi. He is a patriot of his country. His idea of ‘Make in India’ matters both economic wise and in ethics. Future belongs to India, it can be proud of the fact that it’s the largest democracy in the world,” the Kremlin said at Valdai Discussion Club, as per Reuters translation. “India has made tremendous progress in its development from being a British colony to a modern state. Almost 1.5 billion people & tangible development results give reasons for everyone’s respect & admiration for India,” he added. He further emphasised ties between India and Russia, calling it a special relationship. “It has been underpinned by a close ally relationship of many decades,” as per the Reuters translation of Putin’s statement.