PM Modi Congratulates Putin On Re-Election As Russia's President, Says 'Look Forward To Working Together'

PM Narendra Modi congratulated Vladimir Putin after the latter secured his control over Russia for another six years in an election that allegedly saw a crackdown on opposition and free speech.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to Vladimir Putin on Monday for his re-election as the President of the Russian Federation. In a message shared on social media, PM Modi wrote, "Warm congratulations to H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin on his re-election as the President of the Russian Federation. Look forward to working together to further strengthen the time-tested Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia in the years to come."

Russian President Vladimir Putin secured his control over Russia for another six years on Monday with a landslide victory in an election that allegedly saw a crackdown on opposition and free speech. Despite attempts by Russians to protest Putin's repression and his war in Ukraine, Putin's victory was never in doubt, ensuring his nearly quarter-century rule continues with a fifth term.

With nearly all precincts counted, election officials announced that Putin had secured a record number of votes, news agency AP reported. Putin has been at the helm of Russian politics as president or prime minister since December 1999, overseeing international military aggression and an increasing intolerance for dissent. At the end of his fifth term, Putin would become the longest-serving Russian leader since Catherine the Great.

Putin Says Russian Election Outcome Reflection Of 'Trust'

Putin hailed the early results as a reflection of "trust" and "hope" in him, while critics viewed them as further evidence of the predetermined nature of the election. Addressing his campaign staff after polls closed, Putin expressed determination in the face of challenges, stating, "When we were consolidated, no one has ever managed to frighten us, to suppress our will and our self-conscience. They failed in the past and they will fail in the future", as quoted by AP.

Western leaders denounced the election as a sham, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticizing voting in Ukrainian areas illegally annexed by Russia. However, Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, along with leaders of several other countries, congratulated Putin on his victory, AP's report mentioned.

Independent monitoring of the election was severely limited, with Russia's Central Election Commission reporting that Putin received 87% of the vote from nearly 100% of precincts counted, the report mentioned.