Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, has strongly reaffirmed his country’s close connections with India and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This was in response to the recent trade tensions between India and the United States. The statements come after US President Donald Trump put a huge 50% tariff on Indian imports. Half of this charge is meant to hurt India’s trade in crude oil with Russia.
The US’s decision, which is seen as a way to exert pressure on both New Delhi and Moscow to stop the Kremlin’s military confrontation in Ukraine, has made India’s diplomatic and economic situation more difficult. President Putin spoke at the international Valdai discussion forum in South Russia and said that he was sure that Prime Minister Modi would never give in to this outside tariff pressure.
The “Lose-Lose” Scenario: Why Russia Should Keep Getting Energy
Putin said that India’s predicament with Russian energy was a “lose-lose” situation, no matter what it did. He gave the economic calculation:
Ending oil trade with Russia is expected to cost India between $9 and $10 billion.
Not ending the trade (and risking sanctions): This would lead to sanctions and the same economic consequences.
“So why say no if it also has political costs at home?” Putin asked a question. He made a point on the national feeling in India when he said, “
People from India will never let anyone make them feel bad. I know the Prime Minister
Narendra Modi will also not make any of these choices.He also said that India’s financial losses from US tariffs will be made up for by crude oil imports from Russia, and that India would acquire respect as a sovereign nation.
Strengthening a “Privileged Strategic Partnership” President Putin talked about how important India-Russia ties have been in the past and how important they are now. He also mentioned the “privileged strategic partnership” that was declared 15 years ago. “I think people in India don’t forget about this and our relationship… He said, “Prime Minister Modi is a very wise leader who puts his country first.”
He talked again about the profound historical ties between the two countries, going all the way back to the time when India was fighting for freedom from the Soviet Union. “They know this, remember it, and cherish it in India. “We’re glad that India hasn’t forgotten it,” Putin said, showing how easy and respectful it is for the two countries to talk about their problems with each other.
Plans to Fix the Trade Gap
Putin said that steps are being taken to close the trade deficit between Russia and India, which is now substantially in Russia’s favor because India buys a lot of crude oil from Russia. He said that Moscow could buy more goods from India, saying, “Moscow could buy more agricultural goods from India.” We can take certain steps on our end for medical products and medications. He also said, though, that logistical problems need to be fixed before the full potential for more economic cooperation can be realized.
Putin and Modi get along well, but Trump’s tone changes.
Putin called PM Modi a “balanced, wise,” and “nationally oriented” leader in his most recent comments. This comes after the two presidents showed how well they could work together and get along at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China, when they hugged and rode in a car together.
After their encounter, US President Donald Trump changed his mind about India for a short time, calling Modi a “great prime minister” and a friend. PM Modi “deeply appreciated” this. But the US President’s tone changed dramatically when he spoke at the United Nations General Assembly later. He called China and India the “primary funders” of the Ukraine war and said they were paying for it by continuing to buy Russian oil.