Politics

India will never bow to pressure from the West, says Putin; praises Modi as ‘wise, balanced leader’

Russian president defends India’s Russian oil imports, says Modi won’t let the nation be humiliated

October 3, 2025

Putin slams US pressure tactics, calls India-Russia ties “special” and praises Modi’s leadership

Russian President Vladimir Putin has strongly criticised the United States for pressuring India to halt its import of Russian crude oil, asserting that New Delhi would never succumb to such demands or allow itself to be “humiliated” on the global stage.

Addressing the plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, Putin praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “balanced and wise leader” and reaffirmed the strength of the longstanding “special relationship” between Russia and India.

Calling India’s purchase of Russian crude a “purely economic calculation,” Putin argued that there is no political angle to New Delhi’s energy choices. He said India would incur losses of around $9–10 billion if it stopped importing Russian oil, while continuing the trade would invite US sanctions, resulting in similar costs. “So why refuse if it also carries domestic political costs?” Putin questioned, adding that India’s leaders and its people would never tolerate international humiliation.

The Russian president’s comments come in response to mounting criticism from the United States, particularly after US President Donald Trump, during a recent United Nations General Assembly address, accused India and China of being the “primary funders” of the Ukraine war through continued oil purchases from Russia. In retaliation, Washington imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods in August, bringing the total tariff on some exports to 50%.

Putin condemned these punitive trade measures, warning that they could push up global prices and force theUS Federal Reserveto keep interest rates high. He used the moment to underscore the historically deep-rooted ties between Russia and India, recalling the Soviet Union’s support for India during its independence movement and noting that this solidarity has never been forgotten in Indian society. “We have never had any problems or interstate tensions with India. Never,” he said.

Putin described Prime Minister Modi as a personal friend and someone with whom he shares a relationship of trust. He commended Modi’s leadership as nationally focused and consistent, saying, “He would never take a step that would bring humiliation to his country.”

Acknowledging the ongoing trade imbalance between the two nations, Putin said Russia is looking to buy more agricultural products and pharmaceutical goods from India to help correct the gap. He emphasised the need to overcome logistical, financial, and payment-related challenges to unlock the full potential of the economic relationship.

He also noted that Russia and India will soon mark 15 years since the declaration of their special strategic privileged partnership. “That’s what it really is,” Putin said, adding that both countries frequently coordinate on international matters through close collaboration between their foreign ministries.

Reaffirming Moscow‘s commitment to its ties with New Delhi, Putin concluded that Russia values India’s consistent and independent stance in global affairs and welcomes further deepening of their bilateral relationship.

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