Will bolster ‘time-tested’ Russia ties: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday highlighted the need to strengthen the time-tested partnership with Russia, adding that the production of the AK-203 rifles will soon begin in UP, in collaboration with Russia.

He was speaking at the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show-2025 (UPITS-2025) at Greater Noida. Russia is the country partner for the trade show.

His remarks came amid strain in ties between India and the US following the Trump administration imposing highest 50 per cent tariffs on Indian imports and balking at New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil.

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in agriculture, fertilisers, food processing, and other key sectors.

Patrushev emphasised the strength of India-Russia relations, calling India “one of Russia’s key allies in the international arena” and highlighting that economic ties had reached historic levels, with trade turnover hitting a record high in 2024.

During the event in Greater Noida, Modi said the structural reforms in the GST will propel India’s economic growth and asserted that the GST reforms will continue unabated. He maintained that the changes would simplify registration, reduce tax disputes and accelerate refunds for MSMEs, thereby benefiting all sectors of the economy.

Modi said the GST reforms give new wings to India’s growth story and lead to greater savings for the people. He remarked that these savings benefit the poor, neo-middle class and middle class alike.

He stated that the government introduced reforms in the indirect tax regime by implementing GST in 2017, a significant step towards strengthening the economy, followed by further reforms in September this year.

“We are not going to stop here. As the economy strengthens further, the tax burden will continue to come down. With the blessings of the people, reforms in GST will continue,” Modi said.

Despite this, he cautioned that certain political parties are attempting to mislead the public. “The country must become self-reliant, every product that can be made in India should be made here,” he urged, calling for high-quality production under the Make in India initiative.