Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s steadfast and forthright stance on India’s purchases of Russian oil despite extraordinary tariffs imposed by the United States, saying the Indian prime minister is not one to bow easily to pressure. In an interview with India Today, Putin declared that India was a “great power” and not an English colony.
“Prime Minister Modi is not someone who easily succumbs to pressure. Indians can certainly be proud of their leader. This is absolutely obvious. His stance is unwavering and straightforward without being confrontational. Our aim is not to provoke conflict, rather we are trying to protect our legal rights. India is doing the same,” Vladimir Putin said, adding that his relationship with Prime Minister Modi is both personal and professional.
“Our efforts to work together carry considerable weight because they go beyond our mutual ties. PM Modi is setting a very tough task for the country – and first for himself, then for the administration and finally for the nation.”
Asked about US and Western sanctions aimed at curbing oil trade between India and Russia, Vladimir Putin said: “The world has seen that it cannot talk to India the way it used to 77 years ago. India is a great power, not an English or British colony, and everyone will have to take that into account.”
The Russian President also said that India-Russia cooperation is not directed against any country and is solely aimed at protecting the respective national interests.
“Neither I nor Prime Minister Modi, despite some external pressure we are facing, have never approached our cooperation to work against anyone,” he said. Also read | Modi-Putin car diplomacy returns as Russian president arrives – and it’s a Fortuner, not the usual armored SUV
Putin said that certain “actors” do not like New Delhi’s growing role in international markets, given its close ties with Moscow, and these elements aim to limit India’s influence for political reasons by putting up “artificial obstacles”.
On India’s purchase of oil from Russia, Vladimir Putin said: “President Trump has his own agenda, his own goals, while we are focused on ours – not against anyone, but rather on protecting our respective interests, the interests of India and Russia.”
President Putin landed in Delhi this evening on a two-day visit to hold a summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
