Amid looming US threats of sanctions over India’s oil imports from Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday described Moscow’s ties with New Delhi as “brotherly” and “trust-based” in every sense of the word.
Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin also praised India's talent pool and technological capabilities, particularly in coding and technology.
“We know how talented the Indian people are and how well educated they are. Indians possess outstanding competencies that have earned global recognition, especially in coding and several other fields,” he said.
Highlighting the significance of India-Russia cooperation at a time when global markets are facing uncertainty due to the West Asia crisis and concerns over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Putin said the partnership had proven mutually beneficial.
“Prime Minister Modi had to introduce certain restrictions, asking people not to use personal cars or travel long distances because of what is happening in the Strait of Hormuz. I believe our companies made the right decision, and so did our Indian counterparts, when they chose the path of close cooperation. Today, we are extending a helping hand by increasing supplies to the Indian market and to Asia in general, while continuing to share our technological solutions,” Putin said.
In a pointed message amid growing pressure from Washington, Putin asserted that Russia’s relationship with India transcends political circumstances and that Moscow would always stand true to the commitments given to its partners.
“Nobody can dictate terms to us, and nobody would even try to do so. We will always honour the commitments we make to our partners, especially partners like India,” he said.
Underscoring the depth of military and technological cooperation between the two countries, Putin noted that a significant portion of India’s armed forces continues to operate Russian-made equipment.
“This is a tradition that dates back to the Soviet era. Our relationship with our Indian friends is unique because it is built on mutual trust. We are focused not merely on trade and commerce, but also on joint research and development,” he said, adding that Indian and Russian experts have collaborated on the development of the BrahMos missile.
Putin also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, suggesting that any sanctions imposed on India could ultimately prove counterproductive for those seeking to enforce them.
At the same time, the Russian president acknowledged the growing strength of India-US ties, stressing that New Delhi remains free to make decisions based on its national interests.
“India is free to choose the products it considers most advanced, most suitable for its needs, and those that offer the best value in terms of price and quality,” he said.
