On Tursday, June 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, stating that attempts by other countries to pressure New Delhi into reducing its ties with Moscow are counterproductive and harmful to global relations. Notably, Putin’s remarks came shortly after reports emerged that the US wants to end the Russian oil sanctions waiver for India.
With the war in West Asia going on and the closure of Strait of Hormuz, Russia has become a major source of oil supply to India.
Speaking on international diplomacy and strategic partnerships, Putin said that India remains a sovereign nation capable of making its own foreign policy decisions. He added that efforts to force countries into choosing sides (like Trump administration is doing right now) in geopolitical disputes undermine the principles of mutual respect and international cooperation.
The Russian President highlighted the long-standing relationship between Russia and India, describing it as a partnership built on trust, shared interests, and decades of cooperation across sectors such as defense, energy, trade, and technology. He praised Modi’s leadership, saying India has consistently pursued policies that prioritize its national interests while maintaining constructive relations with multiple global powers.
Putin further said that attempts to isolate Russia by pressuring its partners (like the pressure exerted on India by the West) have largely failed, pointing to the continued growth of trade and economic engagement between Moscow and New Delhi. He added that India’s independent approach to foreign affairs has helped preserve stability and dialogue during a period of heightened global tensions.
India has maintained a balanced position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, calling for diplomacy and peaceful resolution while continuing its economic and strategic engagement with Russia. This stance has drawn criticism from Western nations multiple times, which have sought that India blindly follows their diktats. However, PM Modi’s government has put Indian national interests above everything else and has refused to bow down to the western powers.
As international tensions continue to evolve, Moscow’s public endorsement of India’s independent diplomatic course highlights the enduring strength of ties between the two nations and their shared commitment to maintaining a multipolar world order.
