Vladimir Putin's Reply On Quad Alliance After His Foreign Minister Calls It "Asian NATO"

Russian President Vladimir Putin's remarks, in response to a question on Moscow's view on Quad as well as India's participation in the grouping, were a veiled reference to the Chinese claim that the grouping is to contain Beijing's influence in the strategic Indo-Pacific region.

Asserting that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are "responsible" leaders, Russian President Vladimir Putin today said they both are capable of solving issues between the two countries, and that it was important that no "extra-regional power" should interfere in the process. With Russia publicly critical of the Quad, the four-nation grouping of India, the US, Japan and Australia, Vladimir Putin also told news agency Press Trust of India that though it was not up to Moscow to assess how any nation should participate in an initiative and to what extent they should build their relations with other countries but no partnership should be aimed at making friends against anyone. The Russian President's remarks, in response to a question on Moscow's view on Quad as well as India's participation in the grouping, were a veiled reference to the Chinese claim that the grouping is to contain Beijing's influence in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. He also asserted that there were no "contradictions" in Russia's partnership with India and the ties between Moscow and Beijing.