Russian President Vladimir Putin has showered rare and deeply personal praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a leader who ‘lives and breathes India’. Speaking to India Today in an interview, Putin described the Indian Prime Minister as a man of integrity, dedication and unwavering national commitment.

Putin noted, ‘We have very trustworthy and friendly relations. He is a very reliable person… India got lucky. He lives and breathes India.’ The Russian leader added that interacting with Modi is always ‘a great pleasure,’ appreciating his sincerity and sense of responsibility.

‘A very reliable person’: Putin reflects on Modi’s leadership

During the interview with India Today, Putin highlighted Modi’s role in deepening India-Russia ties, especially across sectors such as economic cooperation, defence, humanitarian outreach and advanced technology. Calling the Indian leader ‘a person of integrity,’ Putin said he finds it ‘very interesting’ to meet and engage with him.

Recalling Modi’s previous visit to Moscow, Putin shared a moment of personal warmth between the two leaders. ‘He travelled here and we sat together at my residence. We drank tea the whole evening and discussed a range of topics. We simply had an interesting conversation, purely like humans,’ Putin said.

Warm welcome in Delhi amid strategic talks

Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a two-day visit at Modi’s invitation, signalling efforts to further strengthen the eight-decade-old partnership that has remained steady despite global geopolitical challenges. Defence, trade and technology cooperation are at the top of the agenda.

In a rare gesture, Prime Minister Modi personally received Putin at the airport with a warm embrace before driving him to his official residence, where a private dinner followed.

Just three months earlier, during their meeting in Tianjin at the SCO Summit, Putin had driven Modi in his own vehicle, a symbolic gesture that drew global attention amid heightened geopolitical strains.