India-Russia strategic partnership: Putin backs ties and cites USD 100 billion trade goal

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow’s strategic partnership with New Delhi remained strong. Vladimir Putin said Western efforts to make India reduce cooperation with Russia were ineffective. Vladimir Putin also said such pressure harmed international ties and wider global stability. The comments came during a meeting with heads of major global news agencies.

Representative image

Vladimir Putin praised India’s growth and said Russia wanted deeper economic engagement. Vladimir Putin said India was showing a strong pace of economic expansion. Vladimir Putin also expressed confidence that bilateral trade could reach USD 100 billion. Vladimir Putin said this milestone could be achieved in the coming years.

India-Russia relations and trade

Vladimir Putin said the West was pressuring India to limit links with Russia. Vladimir Putin said Russia had not seen harmful effects from that push. "We dont see any negative consequences,\" Vladimir Putin said. \"Everyone has understood that putting pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India that has the largest population in the world, is detrimental for international relations and for bilateral relations. It doesnt matter where this pressure comes from, Putin said.\"

Vladimir Putin linked India’s growth to government efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. \"India is one of the leading economies of the world that has showed the highest rate of economic growth. This is not something that comes out of the blue. This is result of the hardwork that the government of India has been doing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,\" Vladimir Putin said. Vladimir Putin responded to a question from s CEO and Editor-in-Chief Vijay Joshi.

Vladimir Putin said India would keep making choices based on national interests. Vladimir Putin said India’s engagement with the United States did not weaken ties with Russia. \"We are glad that India is developing its relations with all countries it thinks important for its national interests,\" Vladimir Putin said. Vladimir Putin was asked about possible friction from India’s alignment with Washington.

Vladimir Putin said Russia viewed India as a dependable partner. Vladimir Putin said New Delhi’s ties with other countries caused no concern in Moscow. \"India is a great nation and democracy and Russia will continue to expand its relations with it,\" Vladimir Putin said. Vladimir Putin’s remarks came as some Western capitals showed unease over India-Russia relations.

The United States has repeatedly urged India to reduce purchases of Russian crude oil. Vladimir Putin said such outside pressure was likely to backfire. Vladimir Putin also suggested it would damage both international relations and bilateral relations. Vladimir Putin did not describe any change in Russia’s approach towards India.

Putin on Ukraine conflict and mediators

Vladimir Putin said Russia was open to resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin said the main task was persuading Kyiv to agree. Vladimir Putin rejected the idea of European Union countries acting as mediators. Vladimir Putin asked how Russia could trust states seeking Russia’s strategic defeat.

Vladimir Putin said the EU could play a role by urging Kyiv to compromise. Vladimir Putin said the EU should stop supplying weapons to Ukraine. Vladimir Putin also compared crises, calling Ukraine a local issue. Vladimir Putin described the Iran issue as a global one.

Vladimir Putin said Russia was ready to support any decision that reduced tensions in West Asia. Vladimir Putin also questioned Volodymyr Zelenskyys legitimacy as president. Vladimir Putin said the Ukrainian leader’s presidential mandate had expired. \"Will they hold elections or not? We should ask these questions,\" Vladimir Putin said.

Across the interaction, Vladimir Putin stressed Russia’s intent to expand relations with India. Vladimir Putin also said trade could move towards USD 100 billion in coming years. Vladimir Putin criticised Western pressure on New Delhi as harmful. Vladimir Putin also outlined positions on Ukraine, the EU, and political legitimacy in Kyiv.

With inputs from PTI