Screenshot of India Today on an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin

 
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that China and India are Russia's close friends and that Moscow places great value on its relations with both countries, during an interview with India Today on Thursday at the Kremlin in Moscow prior to his two-day visit to India from Thursday, according to media reports.

"India and China are our closest friends - we treasure that relationship deeply," the president said in an interview with India Today when asked how Russia maintains good relations with both states, according to a report from TASS on Thursday.

Putin commented during an exclusive conversation with India Today, where he was asked directly how Russia balances its ties with two major Asian powers -- India and China -- that continue to clash over border-related issues, according to India Today. 

A video released by India Today showed the interview scene, in which the reporter asked questions in English while Putin responded in Russian. The simultaneous interpretation in the video rendered Putin's remarks as: "We know this very well — India and China are our closest friends. We treasure that relationship deeply, and I do not believe we have the right to interfere in your bilateral relations."

According to the TASS report, Putin expressed confidence that Indian and Chinese leaders are committed to finding solutions to all intergovernmental issues, including the most sensitive ones. He cited their wisdom as the key factor enabling the two countries to reach agreements. "At the same time Russia does not feel entitled to intervene, because these are your bilateral affairs," Putin added. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in India on Thursday for a two-day visit. Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had an informal discussions at the Indian leader's residence in New Delhi, according to TASS.

Global Times