Putin Recalls India Visit, Praises Country's 'Unity In Diversity': 'Not All Speak Hindi'

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday recalled his India visit and praised India’s “unity in diversity”, highlighting its vibrant culture and strong people, while acknowledging that not everyone speaks Hindi.

“I was in India a few days ago. Around 1.5 billion people live there and not all speak Hindi, maybe 500–600 million, and the rest of them speak different languages. Often, they don’t understand one another,” Putin said.

He further stated that “unity in diversity” is a principle that both nations must protect.

Putin’s remarks came following a high‑profile visit to India, where he held wide‑ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Russian President recently visited New Delhi for two days and sent a strong message of India-Russia

friendship on the global stage. Putin’s visit came at a crucial time when US President Donald Trump imposed India with massive 50 percent tariff on buying Russian oil. The visit highlighted the depth of a friendship forged over decades and tested by history.

Prime Minister Modi personally welcomed Putin at Palam airport, accompanied by a full ceremonial guard of honour and a red-carpet reception.

The discussions covered defence cooperation, energy ties, trade expansion, and ongoing geopolitical challenges. The visit was seen as a reaffirmation of the long‑standing India–Russia partnership at a time of shifting global alignments.

Notably, Putin had invited PM Modi to visit Russia in 2026 for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit. As per the Joint Statement issued after the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, the two Leaders welcomed the opening of two Consulates General of India in Yekaterinburg and Kazan, and looked forward to their early operationalisation to further strengthen inter-regional cooperation, trade and economic relations and people-to-people ties.