Russian President Putin praises PM Modi’s “India-First” Policy and “Make in India” Initiative at VTB Russia Calling Investment Forum in Moscow

By R Anil Kumar

• President Vladimir Putin highlights Russia’s willingness to set up manufacturing operations in India

• President Putin emphasizes Russia-India cooperation for growth of SMEs

• President Putin sees BRICS investment platform as key to supporting Global South economies

Moscow, December 6. Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised India’s leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly highlighting the “Make in India” initiative as a significant driver for creating “stable conditions” for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Speaking at the 15th VTB Russia Calling Investment Forum in Moscow, Putin emphasized the parallels between Russia’s import substitution program and India’s manufacturing strategy, indicating Russia’s readiness to invest and establish manufacturing operations in India.

Russia President Vladimir Putin praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “India-first” policy and the “Make in India” initiative at the 15th VTB Russia Calling Investment Forum.

President Putin acknowledged India’s efforts to foster a stable environment for growth, emphasising how these policies have contributed to India’s development.

The “Make in India” initiative, aimed at boosting manufacturing and attracting foreign investment, has played a key role in strengthening India’s position in the global economy, Putin stressed.

President Putin’s remarks underscored India’s economic progress under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership. He lauded the Indian government and its efforts in creating “stable conditions” for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly highlighting the economic initiatives spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with a special focus on the “Make in India” program.

President Putin drew parallels between Russia’s import substitution program and India’s “Make in India” initiative, expressing Russia’s willingness to establish manufacturing operations in India. Investments in India are profitable, he added. He also emphasised that India’s leadership has focused on prioritising its national interests.

“Prime Minister Modi has a similar program called Make in India. We are also ready to set up our manufacturing operations in India.

The Indian government, under the Prime Minister’s leadership, has been creating stable conditions, driven by a policy of putting India first. We believe that investing in India is profitable,” stated the Russian President.

He also said that Russian company Rosneft invested $20 bn in the country recently.

President Putin also highlighted the significance of Russia’s import substitution program in the context of BRICS’s evolution, focusing on the growth of SMEs and the necessity for a rapid dispute resolution mechanism to facilitate smooth business transactions for SMEs in BRICS+ countries.

He pointed out the rise of new Russian brands that are replacing Western brands that have exited the market, noting the success of local Russian manufacturers in sectors such as consumer goods, IT, high-tech, and agriculture.

“For us, this is particularly important as part of our import substitution program. The emergence of new Russian brands is helping replace those of Western companies that have voluntarily left our market. Our local manufacturers have achieved significant success, not only in consumer goods but also in IT and high-tech industries,” he said.

President Putin also urged for greater cooperation among BRICS nations to support the growth of SMEs and encouraged member countries to identify key areas for collaboration at the upcoming summit in Brazil next year.

Referring to the investment platform Russia is developing with BRICS, President Putin said that it has the potential to benefit all partner countries and is expected to become an important instrument for supporting our economies and providing financial resources to the countries of the Global South and East.

“I urge my BRICS colleagues to evaluate the current situation in key areas of cooperation, and we will certainly bring this to the attention of our Brazilian counterparts, who will be leading BRICS next year,” he added.