'Would sell you out': Chess legend Garry Kasparov calls out Modi for claiming Putin as his 'friend'

Former world chess champion from Russia, Garry Kasparov, has called out Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a social media post in which he called Russian President Vladimir Putin his 'friend'.

Kasparov is the Vice President of World Liberty Congress and the Founder and Chair of Renew Democracy. An activist and a speaker, post his retirement from professional chess, Kasparov has been vocal in his opposition to Putin, who he has accused of curtailing the democratic freedom of Russian citizens.

Following the telephone conversation between the two leaders on Friday, August 8, in which both reaffirmed the relationship of India and Russia on bilateral trade and sustainable economic relations, Modi, in a post on X, called Putin his 'friend'.

His post read, "Had a very good and detailed conversation with my friend President Putin. I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine. We also reviewed the progress in our bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. I look forward to hosting President Putin in India later this year."

A vocal critic of Putin's politics, Kasparov warned Modi that the former would sell him out along with India if it helps him prolong his 'dictatorship'.

The chess legend said, "Your friend Vladimir Putin? The genocidal war criminal? Your friend who would sell out you and the entire Indian nation at any time to prolong his dictatorship by one more hour? With friends like that, who needs democracy? Trump is a clown, but stand for something better."

One X user replied to Kasparov saying that the genocide in Ukraine is in no way comparable to the destruction caused by US to Iran or Israel to Gaza. He added, "Understand Putin is very capable of leveling Ukraine with no consequences but he doesn't, others in the Kremlin would."

While another said, "Garry, India does not take moral lectures from someone who has spent years playing geopolitical games from the comfort of the West while others paid the price in wars you cheered for. Our friendship with Russia is based on decades of trust, strategic interests, and mutual respect not on Western approval ratings.We decide our allies based on what serves 1.4 billion Indians, not what pleases self-appointed guardians of democracy sitting oceans away."