In this Special Report, the focus is on the evolving Russia-India partnership ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s visit. Vasily Pushkov, Director of Cooperation at Sputnik News Agency, highlights the unique trust India enjoys in Russia, describing the ‘Indian elephant’ as a rising global force. Sammy Kotwani, President of the Indian Business Alliance, discusses the challenges of the Rupee-Ruble payment system and the need for joint manufacturing in IT and pharma. Elena Chernova, Head of Foreign Affairs at the Association of Innovative Regions of Russia (AIRR), notes that bilateral trade has exceeded $70 billion, driven by cooperation in innovation and technology. The panel explores how both nations are navigating sanctions and media narratives to strengthen their strategic bond.
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Putin’s World Exclusive: ‘India Is 3rd Strongest Economy’ ; Rejects G8
In a world-exclusive interview with India Today’s Geeta Mohan and Anjana Om Kashyap, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserts that India’s economy ranks third globally in purchasing power. Speaking ahead of his two-day visit to India for the 23rd bilateral summit, Putin dismisses the G7 as an outdated platform and explicitly states, ‘I do not want to be part of the G8 nations.’ The Russian President also highlights the recession in Germany and France while praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s economic policies. The interview, described as the biggest of 2025, marks Putin’s first interaction with an Indian media group in two decades. The conversation covers critical issues including the Ukraine conflict, global economic shifts, and Russia’s strategic partnership with India.
India–Russia Ties Evolve: Joint Manufacturing, Trade Routes & Cultural Links Explained
In this special report, speakers discuss the evolving economic relationship between India and Russia, emphasizing a shift from traditional defense ties to joint manufacturing. One speaker notes that 'Moscow has got more yoga schools than in Delhi or in Mumbai,' highlighting the deepening cultural bond. The conversation explores supply chain resilience, with an analyst arguing that despite global isolation attempts, Russia's ties with India remain robust due to historical connections. The 'Indian elephant' metaphor is used to describe India's steady, non-threatening rise on the global stage. The discussion also touches on the Vladivostok-Chennai corridor and the potential for future cooperation in IT and pharma.
India–Russia Payment Crisis & Media Divide: Experts Explain Rupee-Rouble Fix Ahead of Putin Visit
This discussion focuses on the complexities of India-Russia relations, particularly the economic and media landscapes. One speaker highlights the practical difficulties faced by Indians in Russia, such as payment issues due to sanctions, but expresses confidence that an upcoming visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin will resolve these through a stable Rupee-Rouble trade mechanism. This speaker noted, 'love, respect and understanding what Russians do for Indians, we are not going to get anywhere in the world.' Another speaker, representing a Russian media perspective, discusses the need for Indian audiences to diversify their information sources beyond Western outlets, arguing that audiences are intelligent enough to seek a balanced worldview. The conversation touches upon the non-convertibility of the Indian rupee as a key hurdle and the joint efforts by both governments to create a seamless payment system.
‘Only Country Russians Trust’: Experts Decode Russia-India Partnership Ahead of Putin’s Visit
In a special session on 'Russia-India Trusted Partners' ahead of President Vladimir Putin's visit to India, experts discussed the evolving relationship between the two nations. Vasily Pushkov, Director of Cooperation at Sputnik News Agency, stated that India is 'probably the only country' where Russians have no negative perception, adding that the country's image is 'set'. Sammy Kotwani, President of the Indian Business Alliance, highlighted the 25-year strategic partnership, noting that despite geopolitical changes, the bond remains robust. The session explored trade growth, which has exceeded $70 billion, and future cooperation in innovation and technology.

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