Putin Unveils RT India: A New Channel for Russian Perspectives in South Asia

On Friday, President Vladimir Putin oversaw the inauguration of RT India, the latest regional channel of the Kremlin-backed broadcaster, during his visit to India this week.

«I genuinely hope that Russia Today will contribute not only to presenting modern Russia but also to steering our societies on significant matters and vital areas of our collaboration,» Putin remarked, referencing the network’s previous title.

RT India, which operates from New Delhi, will broadcast in English. At the launch event broadcasted on TV, RT’s editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan commended India as «friendly and welcoming,» contrasting it with Western nations that have recently banned or halted RT’s broadcasts.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, RT America was taken off the air by numerous U.S. cable and satellite services, while the European Commission suspended RT and its sister station Sputnik throughout the EU, citing worries about Russian influence operations.

Putin criticized these nations for being «fearful of the truth,» describing RT as «an effective platform» for promoting Russia’s viewpoint.

In advance of Friday’s launch, RT executed a significant promotional campaign across India that included billboards, digital advertising, a themed train in Delhi, a green light display on Mumbai’s Bandra-Worli Sea Link bridge, and a matryoshka-shaped entryway at the New Delhi studio.

A video marking the network’s debut in India showcased the New Delhi studio and included quotes from both Indian and Soviet leaders extolling the strength of bilateral relations.