New Delhi: At the BRICS Summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin commended Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India's impressive economic growth. Putin's endorsement came as a senior official from the International Monetary Fund noted that India continues to be the fastest-growing economy globally, supported by strong macroeconomic fundamentals.

During the three-day summit held in Kazan, Putin expressed gratitude to PM Modi for his participation. He remarked that while many countries discuss the necessity of achieving high economic growth rates, India has already accomplished this feat, setting a benchmark for others. He highlighted that India’s economy is projected to grow by 7% this year and 6.5% in 2025.

"We all talk about the need to ensure high economic growth rates; you (Modi) manage to do this successfully," President Putin stated. "We congratulate you on these results — 7.5% growth; this is an example for many of us. Thank you for your initiatives," he added.

Following the summit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on X, "PM @narendramodi wraps up an impactful visit to Kazan and emplanes for New Delhi." The BRICS grouping, which comprises 24% of global GDP and 41% of the world’s population, is often seen as an economic counterbalance to Western powers. The latest members to join the alliance include Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

What PM Modi Said at BRICS

In his address at the BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Modi emphasized India's commitment to dialogue and diplomacy, advocating for the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict through peaceful negotiations. He raised concerns about pressing global issues such as wars, economic uncertainty, climate change, and terrorism, stating that BRICS can play a constructive role in guiding the world toward a better path.

PM Modi firmly called for a "single-minded" focus and unwavering support from all nations in combating terrorism, asserting that there should be no "double standards" in addressing this challenge. He stressed the importance of taking "active steps" to prevent the radicalization of youth.

On the sidelines of the summit, PM Modi engaged in bilateral discussions with several heads of state, including his first structured meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in five years. During this meeting, PM Modi underscored the importance of not allowing boundary-related differences to disrupt peace and stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).