India can be proud of the fact that it's the largest democracy in the world, President Putin said

Acknowledging that the "future belongs to India", Russian President Vladimir Putin has hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "patriot" who always defends India's interests.

Speaking at the Valdai Club during a much-awaited public appearance on Thursday, President Putin heaped praise on Prime Minister Modi's governance style.

He also praised India's independent foreign policy and added that it has an increasing role in global affairs.

"A lot has been done in the past years under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. He is a patriot of his country. His idea of 'Make in India' matters both economic wise and ethics. Future belongs to India, it can be proud of the fact that it's the largest democracy in the world," the Russian President said.

President Putin expressed his appreciation for India's progress from "being a British colony to a modern state". "Almost 1.5 billion people and tangible development results give reasons for everyone's respect and admiration for India," he said.

Additionally, referring to news reports about Russia planning to launch a nuclear strike on Ukraine, the Russian President said there was "no need" for it.

He said it's pointless for Russia to strike Ukraine with nuclear weapons. “We see no need for that," President Putin said, adding, “There is no point in that, neither political nor military."

It is worth noting that earlier this week, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had warned both sides against resorting to the nuclear option.

During a telephonic conversation with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday, Singh had pointed out that the nuclear option should not be resorted to by any side as the prospect of the usage of nuclear or radiological weapons goes against the basic tenets of humanity.

President Putin's remarks at the annual Valdai Club discussion came as the Russia-Ukraine conflict entered its ninth month. In his opening remarks, he criticized the US and its allies for engaging in a "dirty, dangerous, and bloody" game in an effort to dominate the world.

Putin's support of India's foreign policy and praise for Prime Minister Modi came days after India abstained from voting against the UN resolution denouncing Russia's takeover of four Ukrainian regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.

India, however, has voiced its serious concern about the conflict's intensification in Ukraine, especially the targeting of civilian infrastructure and the killing of people.

Russian forces have intensified missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv, in the past few weeks and India has issued a series of advisories asking its nationals in Ukraine to leave the country immediately by available means.