Putin sees a competition among nations to bolster their sovereignty while hegemonic powers strive to maintain their dominance, as stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin during the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
"We observe a real race among nations to fortify their sovereignty, across three pivotal dimensions: governmental, cultural, and economic," Putin remarked.
He highlighted that former global leaders are making efforts, both justified and unjustified, to retain their erstwhile hegemonic roles. "It's a natural inclination for countries or individuals to safeguard and fortify their positions, but resorting to falsehoods is detrimental. Truth is commendable, falsehoods are not," Putin emphasized.
Putin underscored China's ascendancy as the world's top economy, with a significant lead over the runner-up. Additionally, he identified India as the third-largest economy globally, with remarkable developmental momentum. "Countries in South Asia and Africa, characterized by high birth rates, low urbanization rates, and rapid economic advancement, are increasingly asserting their influence," he added.
Citing expert analyses, Putin predicted that such nations will shape the global economic landscape by the middle of this century.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS