The bonhomie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin was on full display on Tuesday when the latter asserted that the India-Russia ties and the personal bond shared by the two leaders is so strong that it leaves no room for a language barrier.

“Our relationship is so tight that you will understand me without any translation,” said Putin during the bilateral engagement between him and PM Modi on the sidelines of the ongoing BRICS Summit in Russia’s Kazan. The remark sparked a laughter in the room.

“In Kazan, we must make a number of important decisions aimed at further improving the activities of the association and strengthening multifaceted cooperation within its framework. And we greatly value our cooperation in this area, I mean that our states stood at the origins of the association’s creation,”
the Russian President told PM Modi.

India has maintained a steady relationship with Russia even during the current geopolitical crisis arising from the ongoing conflict in eastern Europe – a fact that Putin acknowledged once again during the meeting with PM Modi.

“Major projects are being developed consistently, and we welcome your decision to open the Consulate General of India in Kazan. Expanding India’s diplomatic presence in Russia will contribute to the further development of bilateral relations,” said the Russian President.