Putin says putting pressure on PM Modi is 'detrimental' to international relations

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that putting pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "detrimental to international relations and bilateral ties".

The Russian President on Thursday added this during his meeting with representatives of international news agencies at the Constantine Palace in St. Petersburg.

"Your question seemed a bit strange to me. You said that the cooperation between India and the US creates difficulties in the relations between Russia and India. I don't think that this is the case," Putin added, addressing questions from journalists, according to the Kremlin.

"Why would you think that? We're ready. We're glad that India is developing its relations with all the countries. It's a great country, 1.5 billion people, a large economy, the largest democracy, as many people say," he said.

Putin noted that it is only natural that India develops its economy in accordance with its interests, with those countries that it deems necessary.

"Another thing is that the US are trying to put pressure on India in some matters. For example, when it comes to cooperation with Russia on some tracks, but everyone has understood that putting pressure on India's PM Narendra Modi, a country that has the largest population in the world, is detrimental for international relations and for bilateral relations, it doesn't matter where this pressure comes from," the Russian President highlighted.

The annual meeting with representatives of international news agencies traditionally provides an opportunity to discuss international events, economic issues, and Russia's foreign policy in a question-and-answer format with executives and journalists from leading global media outlets, Russia’s state-owned Tass news agency noted.