Moscow, August 15: Russian President Vladimir Putin praised India’s remarkable achievements in economic, social, scientific, and technological fields on Saturday. He emphasized that India is earning significant respect worldwide.
In his message congratulating President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Independence Day, Putin also highlighted the strong cooperation between Russia and India.
Putin stated, “On the occasion of India’s Independence Day, please accept my heartfelt congratulations. Your country is achieving remarkable success in various sectors and is highly respected globally. The relationship between Russia and India is growing successfully in a spirit of special and strategic partnership. Moscow and New Delhi are collaborating effectively across different areas and engaging well under platforms like the UN, SCO, BRICS, and other multilateral forums.”
He expressed confidence that their joint efforts would further strengthen Russia-India relations for the benefit of their friendly peoples and contribute to international security and stability. He wished good health and success to all Indian citizens.
Denis Alipov, the Russian Ambassador to India, also extended greetings on India’s 80th Independence Day, emphasizing the country’s impressive development journey and reaffirming Moscow’s steadfast support for its progress.
He posted on X, “Dear friends, happy Independence Day. Given the path of development India has taken, there is no doubt that all your dreams will come true. As you continue on this journey of progress, rest assured that Russia’s support remains as strong today as it was a hundred years ago and will continue to be. Jai Hind. Long live the friendship between Russia and India.”
Meanwhile, Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov, Anna Kikina, and Andrey Fedyaev sent their best wishes to the people of India from the International Space Station (ISS), highlighting the long-standing friendship and space cooperation between the two nations.
Celebrating India’s progress since independence, Dubrov remarked, “Dear friends, today India celebrates its 80th Independence Day. Eight decades ago, India gained freedom and embarked on the path of self-reliance and prosperity. Notably, this year also marks the 65th anniversary of the historic flight of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, a significant milestone in human space exploration.”
Recalling Gagarin’s historic visit to India, cosmonaut Kikina emphasized the enduring friendship between the two countries and their long-standing collaboration in space exploration.
Kikina noted, “In November 1961, he visited India and remarked that while India looks beautiful from above, it is even more beautiful on the ground. This is special because it is home to true friends. The friendship between our countries has stood the test of time, and space exploration is one of our main areas of cooperation. It began with the launch of India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, in 1975, followed by the successful flight of India’s first cosmonaut, Rakesh Sharma, in 1984.”
She added, “Today, India is developing its main spacecraft, Gaganyaan, and Indian astronauts have already received training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Zvyozdny Gorodok.”
Sending heartfelt wishes from the ISS, Fedyaev expressed, “In this atmosphere, we are very happy to extend our warmest congratulations to the friendly people of India on their Independence Day. We wish them peace and prosperity. May future generations be inspired to achieve new victories in the exploration of outer space. Long live the India-Russia friendship.”
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K.K./A.B.M.
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