Putin India Visit: Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the increasing cooperation between India and Russia is not against any third country, America is also included in it. In an interview given to India Today in the Kremlin before his visit to India, he spoke openly on the future of India-Russia relations and America’s reactions.

When asked what India and Russia should do to deal with President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, Putin said, ‘He follows his own policy. He has advisors, his decisions are not taken just like that. His advisors believe that this type of tariff policy, i.e. imposing additional duties on trading partners, is beneficial for the US economy in the long run. In my understanding, he is doing his work honestly.

‘Russia does not believe in such policies’

Putin said that Russia does not adopt such practices. He said, ‘Our experts believe that there are risks in these policies, but every country and its government has the right to choose its economic policy. We have never done this, are not doing it now and have no such plans in the future. Our economy is open. We hope that whatever violation of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules has occurred will be rectified.

‘India-Russia cooperation is not against any country’

When asked what could be Trump’s reaction to programs like ‘Make in India, Make With Russia’, Putin clearly said, ‘Neither I nor Prime Minister Modi ever think of working together against anyone, despite external pressures. Trump follows his agenda, focuses on his goals, while we focus on our work, not against anyone, but to protect the interests of India and Russia. We do not harm anyone and I think leaders of other countries will understand this.

When asked what he thought about Trump’s recent statement that India was ‘funding the war’ by buying oil from Russia, Putin said, ‘I would never let any of my colleagues make this assessment of the citizens of their country during elections.’

‘America itself buys nuclear fuel from Russia’

Responding to Trump’s criticism on energy imports, Putin said that America itself buys nuclear fuel from Russia. He said, ‘As far as India’s purchase of Russian energy resources is concerned… I would like to say this, and I have said this publicly before, America itself buys nuclear fuel from Russia for its nuclear power plants.’

Putin further said, ‘This fuel is also uranium, which is used in America’s reactors. If America has the right to buy fuel from us, why should India not have the same right? This question is a matter of serious consideration and we are ready to discuss it, even with President Trump.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting India. He can sign many big agreements during his visit to India. Meanwhile, he has given a big statement regarding the tariff imposed by America on India. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not a leader who comes under pressure. He gave this statement in response to a question in which America was putting pressure on India through tariffs.

Putin praised PM Modi’s leadership abilities
Putin was also asked about US President Donald Trump, bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi in Delhi and the future of India-Russia relations. During an interview with India Today, he praised the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and said that the world has seen India’s steadfast policy and the country should be proud of its leadership. Putin also said that more than 90 percent of bilateral transactions between India and Russia have been successfully completed.

Friendship with Modi and upcoming visit to India
Putin said he was very happy to travel to meet his friend, Prime Minister Modi. He also said that both the leaders have agreed to hold the next meeting in India.

India-Russia cooperation and historical relations
Putin said that there are many things to discuss, because the scope of cooperation between India and Russia is very wide. He also underlined the special historical relations between the two countries. Praising India’s progress since independence, he said that in a short span of just 77 years, the country has achieved amazing development.

Let us tell you that Putin has made nine visits to India so far, out of which three took place during Modi’s tenure (2016, 2018 and 2021). This will be his tenth visit in December. Prime Minister Modi has visited Russia seven times.