Putin's World Exclusive: 'India Is 3rd Strongest Economy' ; Rejects G8

In a world-exclusive interview with India Today’s Geeta Mohan and Anjana Om Kashyap, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserts that India’s economy ranks third globally in purchasing power. Speaking ahead of his two-day visit to India for the 23rd bilateral summit, Putin dismisses the G7 as an outdated platform and explicitly states, ‘I do not want to be part of the G8 nations.’ The Russian President also highlights the recession in Germany and France while praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s economic policies. The interview, described as the biggest of 2025, marks Putin’s first interaction with an Indian media group in two decades. The conversation covers critical issues including the Ukraine conflict, global economic shifts, and Russia’s strategic partnership with India.