Moscow/New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin extended warm greetings to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day, praising the nation’s remarkable economic, scientific, and technological advancements. In an official message issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry, Putin commended India’s growing authority on the international stage and emphasized the enduring strength of the special and privileged strategic partnership shared between Moscow and New Delhi.
Highlighting the extensive bilateral cooperation between both countries, the Russian leader noted that India and Russia continue to coordinate closely within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and BRICS. Putin expressed strong confidence that joint efforts would continue to comprehensively bolster constructive bilateral relations, fostering greater prosperity for both nations while advancing global stability and security.
The high-level greetings coincided with active deliberations between New Delhi and Moscow to expand maritime and logistical cooperation along the Northern Sea Route, a critical Arctic shipping corridor connecting Asian and European markets. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that connectivity remains a central pillar of multifaceted bilateral engagements, with ongoing discussions aimed at integrating Arctic navigation into wider trade networks.
Strategic collaboration along the Northern Sea Route offers significant commercial and energy transit benefits for India, complementing existing trade infrastructure such as the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Chennai-Vladivostok maritime link. As part of this broader maritime vision, both nations are also advancing initiatives to train Indian seafarers in polar navigation, reinforcing long-term commercial cooperation across the resource-rich Arctic region.
