Putin on 'dosti' with Modi: Reveals truth behind car ride during SCO summit

In an exclusive interview with India Today ahead of his visit to New Delhi, Russian President Vladimir Putin shared the story behind his impromptu car ride with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Putin revealed the gesture was 'not pre-planned' but a spontaneous 'sign of friendship' and 'comradeship' during the SCO Summit. He described the ride as a 'symbol of our dosti'. The Russian leader also lauded India’s economic performance, noting the '7.7 percent' growth rate as the 'first result in the world' achieved under PM Modi. Furthermore, Putin emphasized that the two nations have a 'whole plan for cooperation' oriented towards the future. He specifically highlighted joint efforts in high technology, space exploration, nuclear energy, shipbuilding, and artificial intelligence as key areas for strengthening bilateral ties.