'India’s trusted friend': PM Modi says 'dosti' with Russia built on mutual trust, respectPM Modi said India will open two new consulates in Russia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Indian community in Russia during a programme in Moscow | PTI

The Week, July 09, 2024 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Russia was India’s trusted friend and the relationship was built on a strong foundation of mutual respect and sorrow. Addressing the Indian community in Russia, Modi said India will witness a huge transformation during the next 10 years.

“India is undergoing a transformation and the pace of development over the past 10 years has taken the world by surprise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. Addressing the Indian diaspora in the Russian capital, Modi said India was changing as it believes in the strength of its 140 crore citizens who are now dreaming of turning their resolve of Viksit Bharat' into reality.

“Today's India is full of self-confidence, unlike the situation before 2014, and this is our biggest capital,” Modi said. “When people like you bless us, even the biggest goals can be achieved. You all know that today's India achieves whatever goal it sets its mind to,” the prime minister said.

The Prime Minister said it was in his DNA to challenge all the challenges and India will write a new chapter of global growth in coming years.

Modi said it was exactly a month ago that he took oath as prime minister for the third consecutive term when he had made the resolve to work at thrice the strength and speed to fulfil the aspirations of the country. “Our government envisions making India the world's third-largest economy, build three crore homes for the poor and turn three crore poor women in villages to ‘lakhpati didi',” the prime minister said amid chants of ‘Modi, Modi' and ‘Modi hai toh mumkin hai'. “In several goals of the government number three has assumed significance,” he said.

Talking about his attire, Modi said he was Odia scarf the Bharatiya Janata Party won with a huge majority in the Odisha assembly elections. “Odisha has brought about a great revolution and that is why I have also come among you today with an Odia scarf,” he said.

He said India was the country which sent Chandrayaan to a place on the moon where no country has gone before and has given the world the most reliable model for digital transactions. “India's development of the past 10 years was just a trailer, we will see much faster growth in the next 10 years,” Modi said.

Modi said the countries are working on Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor. He added, today, India as Vishwa Bandhu, the country is giving new confidence to the world. “India is being seen as a strong pillar of the new, emerging, multipolar, world order. When India talks about peace, dialogue and diplomacy, the whole world listens. Whenever the world faces a crisis, India is the first country to reach there,” the prime minister said.

Modi said they have decided to open new consulates in Kazan and Yekaterinburg and it will enhance travel and business trade between the countries. 

Modi said artists like Raj Kapoor and Mithoon Da strengthened the friendship between India and Russia. Modi appreciated Russian President Vladimir Putin for his efforts to strengthen the partnership for more than two decades. “This is the sixth time I have come to Russia in the last 10 years and in these years we have met each other 17 times. All these meetings have increased trust and respect. When our students were stuck in the conflict, President Putin helped us in getting them back to India. I once again thank the people of Russia and my friend, President Putin,” he said.

-with inputs from agencies.