PM Modi and Russian President Putin
Moscow on Sunday praised its longstanding relationship with Delhi, describing it as “reliable and steadily progressing” and warning that any effort to disrupt the partnership is “destined to fail.”The Russian foreign ministry welcomed India’s commitment to continue and expand multifaceted cooperation with Russia, despite pressure from US President Donald Trump to impose US-like tariffs on Indian goods for continuing to buy Russian oil. Officials added that “frankly, anything else would be hard to imagine,” as quoted by RT International.The ministry highlighted that New Delhi’s approach, despite Western criticism, reflects “the spirit and traditions of long-standing Russia-India friendship” and embodies what it called “strategic autonomy in international affairs.”Moscow emphasised that the partnership between Russia and India is based on “the highest value of sovereignty and the primacy of national interests,” making the relationship “reliable, predictable and truly strategic in nature.”Officials noted that the two countries are engaged in large-scale joint projects across various fields, including civilian and military production, manned space missions, nuclear power, and Indian investments in Russian oil exploration projects. The ministry also highlighted ongoing cooperation on payment systems, expanding the use of national currencies, and creating alternative transport and logistics routes. These initiatives are described as long-term efforts and not merely a response to “unfavorable geopolitical realities.”The comments come amid rising tensions with the United States, which last month imposed unprecedented duties on most Indian products, including an initial 25% tariff and an additional 25% “penalty” for Indian purchases of Russian oil and defense equipment.US officials claimed India’s energy imports from Russia have indirectly fueled the Ukraine conflict. India rejected these accusations, calling Washington’s move “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.”The US measures also followed stalled efforts to reach a bilateral trade deal. While officials confirmed this week that negotiations have restarted, earlier reports suggested India was refusing to give concessions on agriculture and dairy, areas it regards as “very big red lines.”
