“World Must Learn From India”: President Vladimir Putin Praises India’s Unity in Diversity

New Delhi/Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has lauded India’s cultural richness, linguistic diversity and the nation’s unique model of unity during his recent visit to New Delhi. Sharing his experience a week after returning to Moscow, Putin said that India’s spirit of “unity in diversity” is not only admirable but also a lesson for the world.

Putin was accorded a grand welcome in the Indian capital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally received him at the airport, following which he was presented with a Guard of Honour. The two leaders held extensive bilateral talks and later attended a state dinner at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

According to a report by News18, President Putin expressed deep appreciation for India’s civilizational depth and harmonious social fabric. “I observed that in a country of 1.5 billion people, individuals from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds coexist peacefully. India’s principle of unity in diversity left a strong impression on me,” he said.

“Not Everyone Speaks Hindi”: Putin Highlights India’s Linguistic Spectrum

Putin pointed out that India’s linguistic landscape is vast and varied.
“In India, food habits and languages change every few hundred kilometres. Not everyone speaks Hindi—perhaps 500 to 600 million do—but the remaining population communicates in different languages. In many cases, people from distant regions may not even understand one another. Yet, they remain united as one nation. This is something the world must learn from,” he remarked.

Putin’s comments come in the backdrop of the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit held in New Delhi. The visit was closely monitored globally, especially at a time when India–US ties are witnessing strain following President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian purchases of Russian oil.

Key Agreements Signed During the Visit

Several significant bilateral agreements were finalised during President Putin’s visit. As per the Ministry of External Affairs, the following MoUs and accords were signed:

• Agreement on Temporary Labour Migration between the Government of India and the Government of the Russian Federation, enabling regulated workforce mobility between the two nations.
• Cooperation pact on tackling irregular migration to strengthen joint efforts in preventing unlawful movement of people.
• MoU between the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (India) and the Ministry of Health (Russia) to enhance collaboration in healthcare services, medical education and scientific research.
• Agreement between India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and the Russian Maritime Board, aimed at boosting cooperation in the maritime and inland waterways sector.

These agreements underline the growing strategic, economic and technological partnership between the two nations.

As global geopolitics undergoes rapid transformation, Putin’s strong endorsement of India’s cultural ethos and democratic harmony adds a new dimension to the long-standing India–Russia relationship.