Russian President Vladimir Putin has lauded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' policy during the 8th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok, Russia. Putin expressed his approval of PM Modi's efforts to promote the Make in India initiative, particularly in the context of domestically manufactured automobiles.
Regarding Russian-made cars, Putin acknowledged that they may appear more modest compared to brands like Mercedes or Audi, which were prevalent in Russia during the 1990s. However, he emphasized that the key point is to emulate countries like India in prioritizing the production and utilization of domestically manufactured vehicles. Putin commended PM Modi for championing the Make in India program, describing it as the "right thing."
Putin also affirmed the acceptability of using Russian-made automobiles and emphasized that this practice would not infringe upon Russia's obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO). He suggested implementing a system for state officials to use domestically manufactured cars, which would simplify logistics.
Furthermore, President Putin welcomed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), announced during the G20 leaders' summit in New Delhi. This corridor includes an Eastern Corridor connecting India to the Gulf region and a Northern Corridor linking the Gulf region to Europe. Putin saw IMEC as a project that would benefit Russia, particularly in terms of logistics development. He noted that the project had been under discussion for several years and expressed no concerns about its potential impact on Russia. An MOU on IMEC was signed by various nations, including India, the USA, Saudi Arabia, UAE, European Union, Italy, France, and Germany.
