Putin Backs Modi-Xi Dialogue, Says Russia Will Not Interfere in India-China Border Issues

St Petersburg, June 5: Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow will not interfere in the "delicate" relationship between India and China, expressing confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are committed to resolving their long-standing border dispute through dialogue.

Speaking during an interaction with heads of major international news agencies in St Petersburg on Thursday night, Putin described India-China relations as a complex bilateral matter that should be addressed by the two countries themselves.

"This is a delicate, multi-faceted relationship between India and China, and interfering in it is not a good idea," Putin said while responding to a question from PTI's CEO and Editor-in-Chief Vijay Joshi.

The Russian President added that both leaders were working towards resolving issues of mutual concern, including the boundary dispute.

India-China Ties Showing Signs of Recovery

Putin's remarks come as New Delhi and Beijing continue efforts to stabilise relations following the military standoff triggered by the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes, one of the deadliest border confrontations between the two countries in decades.

Over the past year, both sides have initiated measures aimed at restoring diplomatic engagement and rebuilding trust. A significant development came during the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi in Tianjin in August, where the two leaders reiterated that India and China should view each other as development partners rather than rivals and ensure that differences do not escalate into disputes.

Russia has consistently maintained that the border issue should be resolved bilaterally and has avoided taking sides in the dispute.

Russia's Relations with India and China Are Independent

Emphasising Moscow's balanced approach in Asia, Putin said Russia's relationships with India and China have developed independently and naturally over decades.

According to him, Russia's growing cooperation with India does not affect its partnership with China, just as its close ties with Beijing do not undermine relations with New Delhi.

"Relations between Russia and India do not disturb China, and our relations with China do not disturb India," he said.

Russia shares a "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership" with India, while Moscow and Beijing have described their relationship as a "no limits" partnership in recent years.

Putin Recalls Origins of the Russia-India-China Framework

During the interaction, Putin also reflected on the origins of the Russia-India-China (RIC) mechanism, which later contributed to the emergence of BRICS as a major multilateral grouping.

He recalled proposing a meeting between the leaders of Russia, India, and China, laying the groundwork for trilateral engagement among the three major Eurasian powers.

"At one point, I suggested that the leaders of India and China meet in Russia, and that's how Russia-India-China was established," Putin said.

The RIC format has recently gained renewed attention, with both Moscow and Beijing advocating greater coordination among the three countries amid concerns over protectionist trade policies and shifts in the global economic order.

Comments on India-Pakistan and China-Pakistan Relations

Putin also briefly addressed India-Pakistan relations, acknowledging the complexities surrounding issues between the two neighbours.

"We are well aware of the intricacies of the issues concerning the border between India and Pakistan," he said, without elaborating further.

Responding to concerns regarding China's growing military support to Pakistan, Putin rejected the suggestion that Islamabad operates under Beijing's control.

"I don't think so," he said, describing Pakistan as a large country with diverse international partnerships.

At the same time, he acknowledged that cooperation with China remains strategically important for Pakistan.

His comments come against the backdrop of India's concerns over expanding defence ties between China and Pakistan, with a significant portion of Pakistan's military equipment reportedly sourced from Beijing.

A Message of Strategic Balance

Putin's remarks underline Russia's attempt to maintain strategic balance between its two key Asian partners at a time of shifting geopolitical alignments. By reaffirming support for dialogue between New Delhi and Beijing while avoiding involvement in bilateral disputes, Moscow appears keen to preserve its longstanding partnerships with both countries and promote stability within the broader Eurasian region.