Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his annual address to the Valdai Discussion Club, a Moscow-based think tank, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's independent foreign policy, saying that a lot has been done under his leadership in India as he called him a patriot of the country, according to Reuters translation of the former's statement which he said in Russian.

"A lot has been done under the leadership of PM Modi. He is a patriot of his country. His idea of 'Make in India' matters both economic wise and in ethics. Future belongs to India, it can be proud of the fact that it's the largest democracy in the world," the Kremlin said at Valdai Discussion Club, as per Reuters translation.

Calling India's growth - from being a British colony to a modern state - a tremendous one, the Russian president added that around 1.5 billion people and definite development results give reasons for everyone's respect and admiration for India. "India has made tremendous progress in its development from being a British colony to a modern state. Almost 1.5 billion people & tangible development results give reasons for everyone's respect & admiration for India," he added.

He further emphasised ties between India and Russia, calling it a special relationship. "It has been underpinned by a close ally relationship of many decades. We've never had any difficult issues and supported each other and that's happening right now. I'm sure it'll happen in the future," as per the Reuters translation of Putin's statement.

Putin also stressed that PM Modi has asked him to increase the supply of fertilisers which is very important for Indian agriculture. "We have increased volume by 7.6 times. Trade in agriculture has almost doubled," he added, as per Reuters.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his annual address to the Valdai Discussion Club, a Moscow-based think tank, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's independent foreign policy, saying that a lot has been done under his leadership in India as he called him a patriot of the country, according to Reuters translation of the former's statement which he said in Russian.

"A lot has been done under the leadership of PM Modi. He is a patriot of his country. His idea of 'Make in India' matters both economic wise and in ethics. Future belongs to India, it can be proud of the fact that it's the largest democracy in the world," the Kremlin said at Valdai Discussion Club, as per Reuters translation.

Calling India's growth - from being a British colony to a modern state - a tremendous one, the Russian president added that around 1.5 billion people and definite development results give reasons for everyone's respect and admiration for India. "India has made tremendous progress in its development from being a British colony to a modern state. Almost 1.5 billion people & tangible development results give reasons for everyone's respect & admiration for India," he added.

He further emphasised ties between India and Russia, calling it a special relationship. "It has been underpinned by a close ally relationship of many decades. We've never had any difficult issues and supported each other and that's happening right now. I'm sure it'll happen in the future," as per the Reuters translation of Putin's statement.

Putin also stressed that PM Modi has asked him to increase the supply of fertilisers which is very important for Indian agriculture. "We have increased volume by 7.6 times. Trade in agriculture has almost doubled," he added, as per Reuters.