Sending a stern message to US President Donald Trump amid repeated American attempts to pressure Delhi to cut its cooperation with Russia, President Vladimir Putin said India has never followed instructions from abroad and would continue to make its own sovereign decisions.
Speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Putin stressed that sovereignty and independent decision-making cannot be challenged. “Naturally, India, which has never followed any diktat from abroad, or the People’s Republic of China. Sovereignty and sovereign decision-making can never be contested," Putin said.
The Foreign Ministry of Russia, quoting Putin, said, “The US is trying to pressure India on certain issues, including some aspects of cooperation with Russia. But it should be clear to everyone by now: pressuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who leads a country of 1.5 billion people, is a futile exercise."
Putin’s comments at the global forum, often described as Russia’s answer to Davos, came a day after he said attempts to pressure India over its relationship with Moscow were “useless".
According to Putin, India remains a reliable partner of Russia and would not give in to pressure from Western countries.
India has traditionally maintained an independent foreign policy and has repeatedly emphasised its strategic autonomy in dealing with global powers.
India faced pressure from Trump last year over its purchase of Russian oil, which Washington argued was helping fund Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine.
The United States responded by doubling tariffs on India to 50 per cent. The tariffs were later reduced to 18 per cent this year. Against this backdrop, Putin’s remarks were seen as a strong endorsement of India’s right to pursue its own foreign and economic policies.
During the discussion, Putin also rejected claims that Russia had been economically isolated by the West.
He said efforts to isolate Moscow had failed and that Russia continued to maintain strong relationships with countries across the world.
According to Putin, the policy of isolating Russia was initiated by the previous US administration and later supported by several European countries. However, he argued that the strategy did not succeed. “There has never been any isolation," Putin said.
Putin pointed out that even during periods of tension, economic cooperation between Russia and Western countries continued in several sectors.
He referred to energy projects and uranium exports to the United States as examples. “Americans are pragmatic. Whenever it benefits them, cooperation continues," Putin said.
The Russian leader also claimed that some countries that publicly announced their withdrawal from Russian projects remain involved, especially in energy ventures in Russia’s Far East.
Putin said Moscow continues to work closely with its partners, neighbouring countries and international organisations. “There is not much damage to us. We have never isolated ourselves from anyone," he said.
Source: News18