African-American singer Mary Millben called Prime Minister Narendra Modi “the most influential and important leader in geopolitics today”, according to IANS.
She further praised Prime Minister Modi’s handling of the recent summit in New Delhi with Russian President Vladimir Putin and urged the United States to reconsider its approach to India.
In an interview with IANS, Millben said the Modi-Putin talks demonstrated the strong and long-standing partnership between the two nations and highlighted it as part of India’s growing global influence. Millben said: “Prime Minister Modi handled the meeting with characteristic strategic discipline, particularly in areas such as energy and defence. The Prime Minister was, in his words… diplomatic and strategic,” she noted, in contrast to Putin’s stronger focus on oil and defense cooperation.
The 23rd Russia-India summit comes at a key moment as the US pushes for a peace deal with Ukraine while seeking global cooperation. It will test New Delhi’s efforts to balance relations with Moscow and Washington as the nearly four-year war in Ukraine looms.
Millben noted that from the perspective of both leaders, the meeting was highly successful and reflected the strong India-Russia relationship, comparable to the deep ties India maintains with the United States, the report said.
Putin was received by Modi at the Delhi airport on Thursday. The Indian leader gave Putin a bear hug and a firm handshake with the flavor of an old friend.
But she said PM Modi’s approach was rooted in national interest. “At the end of the day, the prime minister will do what is best for India… Every leader will look at what is strategically best for their country.”
Prime Minister Modi had earlier said that India and Russia would seek to finalize a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union soon. He also revealed that India will soon start offering free e-visas to Russian tourists and tour groups.
The Prime Minister emphasized that energy security is a cornerstone of India-Russia relations supported by decades of cooperation in the civil nuclear energy sector. He added that these partnerships will continue, along with expanded cooperation in clean energy, shipbuilding, fertilizers and labor mobility.
India is keen to increase exports of pharmaceuticals, agriculture and textiles to Russia and is seeking to remove non-tariff barriers. New Delhi is also seeking long-term supply of fertilizers from Moscow.
Another key area where the two countries hope to reach an agreement is the safety and regulation of skilled Indian migrant workers in Russia.
Putin last visited India in 2021. Modi was in Moscow last year and the two leaders met briefly in September in China during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.
(With input from agencies)
