Moscow, July 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described Russia as India's "all-weather friend" and hailed President Vladimir Putin's leadership in strengthening the bilateral relationship over the past two decades. The Prime Minister's praise of Putin, during an address to the Indian diaspora here, came amid attempts by Western powers to isolate the Russian leader over the war in Ukraine.

"On hearing the word Russia, the first word that comes to mind of every Indian is India's all-weather friend (sukh-dukh ka saathi) and a trusted ally,” Modi said. “No matter how low the temperature dips below minus during Russian winter, India-Russia friendship has always remained in 'plus', it is full of warmth. This relationship is built on the strong foundation of mutual trust and mutual respect,” the Prime Minister said. PM Modi Russia Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin Hold Informal Meet at Novo-Ogaryovo Residence (See Pics and Video).

Modi said he had a special appreciation for “his friend” President Putin for steering India-Russia friendship to greater heights over the last two decades. The Prime Minister said for a long time the world had seen an “influence-oriented global order”. "But, what the world needs right now is confluence not influence and no one can deliver this message better than India which has a strong tradition of worshipping confluences,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister said India was undergoing a transformation and the pace of development over the past 10 years has taken the world by surprise. Modi said India was changing as it believes in the strength of its 140 crore citizens who are now dreaming of turning their resolve of ‘Viksit Bharat' into reality. PM Modi Russia Visit: Indians Fighting Ukraine War To Be Released As PM Narendra Modi Raises Matter With Vladimir Putin During Private Dinner at Novo-Ogaryovo Residence, Say Reports.

“Today's India is full of self-confidence, unlike the situation before 2014, and this is our biggest capital,” Modi said. “When people like you bless us, even the biggest goals can be achieved. You all know that today's India achieves whatever goal it sets its mind to,” the prime minister said.

The Prime Minister said it was in his DNA to challenge all the challenges and India will write a new chapter of global growth in coming years. Modi said it was exactly a month ago that he took oath as prime minister for the third consecutive term when he had made the resolve to work at thrice the strength and speed to fulfil the aspirations of the country.

“Our government envisions making India the world's third-largest economy, build three crore homes for the poor and turn three crore poor women in villages to ‘lakhpati didi',” the Prime Minister said amid chants of ‘Modi, Modi' and ‘Modi hai toh mumkin hai'. “In several goals of the government number three has assumed significance,” he said.

He said India was the country which sent Chandrayaan to a place on the moon where no country has gone before and has given the work the most reliable model for digital transactions. “India's development of the past 10 years was just a trailer, we will see much faster growth in the next 10 years,” Modi said.