‘Old, serious, strong relationship’: Tharoor hails India-Russia ties ahead of Putin's visit

“Russia is an old relationship, its a serious relationship, its a strong relationship,” Tharoor said.

Updated on: Dec 3, 2025, 16:20:20 IST

By HT News Desk

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Ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India on Thursday, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor hailed the bilateral ties between the two countries, calling it “old, serious and strong relationship”.

"We have to preserve our negotiating space with America, China and Russia," Shashi Tharoor said. (PTI)

Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament on Wednesday, Tharoor called the upcoming visit “very important”, while also highlighting the significance of India-Russia ties.

“It is a very important visit. It's an extremely important relationship,” ANI news agency quoted the Thiruvananthapuram MP as saying. “Russia is an old relationship, its a serious relationship, its a strong relationship,” he added.

Putin will be visiting India from December 4-5 for the 23rd annual India-Russia Summit, on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Also Read | US sanctions, trade in focus; defence deal okayed: Putin's upcoming big India visit decoded

Regarding the balancing of ties with different nations, Tharoor stressed on preserving India's “negotiating space” with America, China and Russia. “We talked for a long time about strategic autonomy. We have to preserve our negotiating space with America, China and Russia," he said.

The Congress MP further said that India cannot “mortgage” its economy based on “any other country's interests.” “We have to have independent relationships with all these countries,” Tharoor said.

What did Russia say ahead of Modi-Putin meeting?

Putin, while speaking at an investment forum in Moscow on Tuesday, spoke about “elevating” cooperation between India and China with numerous joint projects in energy, industry, space, agriculture, and other sectors.

“We aim to elevate cooperation with the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India to a qualitatively new level by strengthening its technological component. This is the objective of numerous joint projects in energy, industry, space, agriculture, and other sectors,” ANI quoted Putin as saying.

Meanwhile, Kremlin Spokesperson Dimitry Peskov hailed the relationship between India and Russia, while saying it was based on “a deep historic background of mutual understanding.” Peskov further said that Russia was “proud” to stand “next to our Indian friends during their historic growth.”

The spokesperson also said that Moscow was “grateful” for India's “very friendly stand” towards Russia and during interactions in “bilateral and global affairs.”

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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