In his speech, President Putin reminisced about a time when domestically manufactured cars were a rarity in Russia, contrasting them with the Mercedes and Audi cars that flooded the market in the 1990s. He acknowledged that Indian-made vehicles might appear more modest in comparison, but he expressed his belief that emulating India’s focus on domestically produced goods is a step in the right direction. “I think that Prime Minister Modi is doing the right thing in promoting the Make in India program. He is right,” Putin stated.

Putin clarified that using Russian-made automobiles is entirely acceptable and does not violate any World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations, as it primarily pertains to state purchases. He suggested implementing a system that dictates which classes of officials should use domestically produced cars. “We must create a certain chain regarding what cars different classes of officials can drive so that they will use domestically-made cars,” Putin said, emphasizing the importance of supporting local industries.

Regarding the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), Putin dispelled concerns that this initiative might negatively impact Russia. He regarded it as a project that would ultimately benefit the country and the broader region. This statement came in the wake of India, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the IMEC during the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

“I believe that this will only benefit us. I believe that this will only help us develop logistics. Firstly, this project has been discussed for a long time, for several years,” Putin remarked, emphasizing the potential positive impact on trade and connectivity in the region.

The Russian president’s endorsement of “Make in India” demonstrates the importance of fostering domestic production and prioritizing locally manufactured products. It also underscores the importance of developing sustainable economic partnerships in the region, as exemplified by Russia’s positive outlook on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.

The “Make in India” initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, aims to transform India into a global manufacturing hub by encouraging domestic production and attracting foreign investment. It focuses on key sectors such as automobiles, electronics, defense, and infrastructure, with the goal of creating jobs, boosting economic growth, and reducing dependence on imports.

Putin’s acknowledgment of India’s efforts to promote domestic manufacturing sends a strong message about the significance of self-reliance and the benefits of prioritizing locally made products. It also highlights the potential for collaboration and economic development through initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, which promises to strengthen trade and connectivity between nations in the region.

As India continues to make strides in its “Make in India” campaign and fosters international partnerships like the IMEC, it remains at the forefront of global efforts to bolster domestic production, create economic opportunities, and build stronger economic ties with other nations. President Putin’s praise serves as a testament to the growing recognition of India’s efforts in this regard and its potential to drive economic growth not only at home but also on the international stage.

New Delhi, September 4, 2023 – The President of China, Xi Jinping, and the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, were in attendance. have both announced their decision not to participate in the upcoming 18th G20 summit in New Delhi on September 9 and 10. This announcement has taken the international community aback, as India, the current President of the G20, eagerly awaits the gathering of world leaders.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning officially confirmed President Xi’s absence, citing that Prime Minister Li Qiang would represent China at the summit upon the invitation of the Indian government. This decision comes amidst growing global anticipation for the meeting and heightened diplomatic engagement.
US President Joe Biden, who is set to arrive in Delhi on September 7 to participate in the G20 conference, expressed his disappointment regarding President Xi’s absence.

In an informal interaction with journalists, President Biden mentioned his keenness to meet President Xi despite the latter’s decision not to attend. “I was disappointed, but I will meet him,” stated President Biden, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic engagement even in challenging circumstances.

The absence of both President Xi and President Putin, who are prominent figures on the international stage, has raised eyebrows. However, their non-participation may be linked to concerns over various geopolitical issues and domestic priorities. Li Qiang, who will lead the Chinese delegation at the G20 summit, will likely visit India after attending the East Asia Conference in Jakarta. This visit underscores the significance of India’s role as the host nation for this year’s G20 summit.

This is not the first time President Xi has skipped a G20 summit. In 2021, he also did not attend the G20 summit held in Italy, citing COVID-19 restrictions imposed by China. With President Xi’s absence and President Putin also opting out, the dynamics of the upcoming G20 summit in New Delhi are poised for an exciting and potentially impactful shift. More than two dozen world leaders, including President Biden, are set to participate in the conference, making it a crucial forum for global dialogue and cooperation.

By Kanishka Rajora

The conversation between PM Modi and the Russian President came in the wake of reports last week indicating that the Russian President would not personally attend the G20 Summit to be held in New Delhi in September. An announcement from the Kremlin on Friday said Putin was busy with some other events. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the phone. The two leaders discussed the issues of bilateral cooperation. Meanwhile, President Putin expressed his inability to attend the G20 Summit in New Delhi on 9-10 September 2023 and informed that Russia will be represented by Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov. 

Agreeing with Russia’s decision, PM Modi thanked President Putin for Russia’s continued support for all initiatives under India’s G-20 Presidency.

The conversation between PM Modi and the Russian President came in the wake of reports last week indicating that the Russian President would not be personally attending the G20 Summit to be held in New Delhi in September. An announcement from the Kremlin on Friday said Putin was busy with other events and that his main focus was on the ongoing military operation in Ukraine.

The G20 Summit is scheduled to be held on September 9 and 10 in New Delhi. This summit is expected to be one of the largest gatherings of leaders in India and around the globe. India assumed the Presidency of G20 on December 1, 2022 from Indonesia.

Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a press conference in Moscow that President Putin has no plans to attend the G-20 summit in New Delhi.

Kanishka Rajora is working as an intern at Nacion Story