Putin Unveils New RT India Channel Amidst Controversies Over Western Media Bans

President Vladimir Putin on Friday oversaw the inauguration of RT India, the newly established regional channel of the Kremlin-funded broadcaster, during his visit to the South Asian nation this week.

«I earnestly hope that Russia Today will not only depict modern Russia but also assist in addressing vital issues and enhancing our collaborative efforts,» Putin remarked, referring to the network’s previous name.

RT India, headquartered in New Delhi, will broadcast in English. During the official launch, RT’s editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan lauded India as “friendly and welcoming,” contrasting it with Western nations that have either banned or halted RT broadcasts in recent years.

Following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, RT America was expelled from numerous U.S. cable and satellite services, while the European Commission suspended RT and its affiliated outlet Sputnik throughout the EU, citing worries over Kremlin-backed influence campaigns.

Putin condemned those nations for being “afraid of the truth” and described RT as “an effective platform” for promoting Russia’s viewpoint.

Before Friday’s launch, RT conducted an extensive promotional campaign across India, featuring billboards, digital advertisements, a themed train in Delhi, a green light projection on Mumbai’s Bandra-Worli Sea Link bridge, and a matryoshka-shaped entrance at the New Delhi studio.

The debut video for the network in India showcased the New Delhi studio and included quotes from Indian and Soviet leaders who endorsed the strong ties between the two nations.