Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised India’s linguistic and cultural diversity, saying the country offers an example of how different cultures, traditions and languages can coexist while maintaining unity. Putin made the remarks during the annual meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club, where he spoke about India’s scale and diversity and referred to conversations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“India cannot fail to amaze with its scale and diversity,” Putin said. Referring to what Modi had told him about India’s population and languages, the Russian president said it was remarkable that people speaking different languages could live together. He described the situation as “shocking” in a positive sense and highlighted India’s ability to maintain unity amid its linguistic and cultural variety.

Putin said there was something unique about Indian culture that could serve as an example of how diversity and unity can coexist. “It is certainly something to learn from,” he said, suggesting that India’s experience could provide lessons for countries seeking to build relationships across differences in culture, traditions, customs and history.

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The comments came amid continued diplomatic engagement between India and Russia, including discussions between Putin and Modi on the Ukraine conflict. The two leaders held talks on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi last month, during which Putin briefed Modi on developments surrounding the war and ongoing peace initiatives.

Putin also said Modi regularly raises the issue of ending the Ukraine conflict during their meetings. He described Modi as a leader who continues to ask about efforts to end the war despite the two countries’ close relationship, and said the Indian prime minister had “very good ideas” aimed at finding mutually acceptable solutions.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had earlier said Russia would welcome Indian efforts aimed at helping end the Ukraine conflict and noted Moscow’s stated alignment with New Delhi’s emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy. Putin’s latest comments therefore combined praise for India’s cultural diversity with remarks on the continuing diplomatic discussions over Ukraine, highlighting the range of issues being discussed in the India-Russia relationship.

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