Russian Defence System Shielded Delhi from Pakistani Missiles

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in New Delhi for a two-day visit, during which senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor delivered a special address marking the occasion. He described the relationship between India and Russia as “significant”.

According to Indian media outlet The Hindu, Tharoor praised the longstanding ties between New Delhi and Moscow, noting that Russia has consistently stood by India.

Speaking to Indian media organisation ANI, Tharoor said that President Putin’s visit comes at an important moment. He remarked, “This is a notable visit. Firstly, the enduring relationship between the two countries is extremely important. In today’s turbulent world, many partnerships are facing uncertainty. As a result, strengthening those that have remained steady has become crucial. Secondly, the value of Russia’s friendship has been demonstrated in recent years, particularly in two key areas. We have received substantial supplies of oil and gas from Russia, and during Operation Sindhur, the S-400 defence system imported from Russia protected Delhi and other cities from Pakistani missiles.”

He further stated that India’s relations with the United States and China do not have any bearing on the friendship between New Delhi and Moscow.

On the first day of the visit, Putin is scheduled to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Modi, marking the 23rd summit between the two nations. Defence and trade are expected to feature prominently in the discussions.

Prior to the meeting, Putin paid tribute at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial.

To ensure security, traffic restrictions have been imposed on several major roads in New Delhi during the Russian president’s visit.

Khaborwala/SS