Putin hails India as ‘Reliable Partner’, slams western pressure on Russia-India ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin has described India as a “reliable partner” and strongly criticised Western countries for what he called “detrimental” interference in India-Russia relations. Speaking at an interaction with global news agency heads in St Petersburg, Putin praised India’s rapid economic growth and its independent foreign policy stance.

Putin said efforts by Western nations to pressure India into reducing its engagement with Russia are “futile” and harmful to global stability. He stressed that India’s decisions are driven by its national interests and that such external pressure would not affect the long-standing partnership between New Delhi and Moscow.

Highlighting economic ties, the Russian President said bilateral trade between India and Russia is expected to reach the USD 100 billion mark in the coming years. He credited India’s growth trajectory to strong domestic policies and leadership, noting that the country remains one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world.

Putin also said Russia welcomes India’s engagement with other global powers, including the United States, adding that it does not see any negative impact on bilateral relations. He reiterated that Moscow continues to view India as a trusted strategic and economic partner.

 

On global conflicts, Putin commented on the Ukraine war, stating that Russia remains open to a resolution but insisted that efforts must focus on persuading Kyiv towards compromise. He also dismissed the possibility of the European Union acting as a mediator, arguing that it has already taken a partisan stance.

He further described the Ukraine conflict as a “local issue” while calling the Iran situation a “global concern,” and said Russia is ready to support any steps that help reduce tensions in West Asia.