Putin’s Strong Endorsement of Modi: India Stands Firm Against US Trade Pressures
Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin sharply rebuked the United States for attempting to coerce India into halting its purchases of Russian crude oil, asserting that New Delhi would resolutely reject any such coercion and refuse to endure public degradation. Addressing the plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, Putin lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “balanced and wise leader” deeply committed to national interests, describing their rapport as one of mutual trust and familiarity, and referring to the Indian leader as a personal friend.
Putin emphasized that India’s decision to import Russian oil stems entirely from economic rationale, devoid of any geopolitical undertones. “There is no political aspect here… If India refuses our energy supplies, it will suffer certain losses. Estimates vary; some say it could be around $9-10 billion. But if it doesn’t refuse, sanctions will be imposed, and the loss will be the same. So why refuse if it also carries domestic political costs?” he remarked. He added that the citizens of a nation like India would vigilantly oversee their government’s choices and prevent any form of humiliation, while expressing confidence that Modi personally would never yield to external dictates.
In Putin’s view, the economic setbacks from punitive US tariffs on Indian exports would be offset by continued access to discounted Russian crude, while also bolstering India’s stature as an independent power. These comments follow a speech by US President Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly two weeks prior, where he labeled China and India as the “primary funders” of the Ukraine conflict through their sustained oil purchases from Russia. In response, the US levied an extra 25 percent tariff on Indian goods in August, elevating the overall levy to 50 percent.
Putin warned that escalating tariffs on key trading partners could inflate worldwide commodity prices, compelling the US Federal Reserve to maintain elevated interest rates. He underscored the enduring “special” bond between Russia and India, forged during the Soviet era amid India’s independence struggle—a history both nations cherish without a single instance of discord. “In India, they remember this, they know it, and they value it. We appreciate that India has not forgotten it… We have never had any problems or interstate tensions with India. Never,” he affirmed.
To address the current trade disparity favoring Russia, Putin indicated openness to increasing imports of Indian agricultural goods and pharmaceuticals. “More agricultural products may be purchased from India. Certain steps can be undertaken from our side for medicinal products, pharmaceuticals… We need to solve a whole range of tasks to unlock our opportunities and potential advantages,” he stated, pinpointing challenges in financing, logistics, and payment systems. As the 15th anniversary of the Russia-India special strategic privileged partnership approaches, Putin affirmed its authenticity, noting seamless alignment in political strategies. “We always hear and take into account the positions of our countries on various key issues. Our foreign ministries work very closely together,” he concluded.