Ahead of his December visit, Putin orders steps to balance trade with India, including boosting imports of Indian farm goods and medicines
BY PC Bureau
October 3, 2025 — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday strongly criticized US attempts to pressure India into reducing its energy imports from Moscow, warning that such moves would hurt Washington more than they help. He also offered to take steps to soften the impact of punitive tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Indian goods, underlining Moscow’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with New Delhi.
Putin’s comments came during his keynote address at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, an annual forum that gathers more than 140 experts and officials from around the world, including India. His remarks underscored Russia’s growing focus on its relationship with India amid rising tensions with the West.
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Warning to Washington
Putin said efforts to force India to scale back its oil trade with Russia were not only unfair but also economically self-defeating.
“If higher tariffs are imposed on Russia’s partners, this will push global energy prices up and compel the US Federal Reserve to keep interest rates high,” he said. “That, in turn, will slow down the American economy.”
The Russian leader described such policies as short-sighted, stressing that Washington’s pressure would not succeed. “India will never allow itself to be humiliated,” Putin declared. “Prime Minister Modi would never take such a step.”
India’s Losses and Russia’s Offer
Putin estimated that India could suffer losses of $9–10 billion if it halted Russian energy imports under US pressure. To mitigate the impact of fresh US tariffs on Indian exports — which came into force on October 1 and targeted pharmaceuticals, furniture, and heavy trucks — Putin said Moscow was prepared to step in.
“The losses faced by India due to punitive US tariffs would be balanced by crude imports from Russia, plus it will gain prestige as a sovereign nation,” he said. To reduce the trade imbalance between the two countries, he suggested Russia could import more Indian agricultural products and pharmaceuticals.
❗️Putin: ‘The 🇮🇳 People Will Never Accept Humiliation’: 🇷🇺 President On US Threats To New Delhi Over Oil Purchases pic.twitter.com/gTPE1dRuTg
— RT_India (@RT_India_news) October 2, 2025
Praise for Modi, Emphasis on ‘Special’ Ties
Putin described India–Russia ties as “special” and hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “balanced, wise, and nationally oriented” leader. He referred to Modi as a “friend,” noting that their relationship is built on trust and mutual respect.
“We have never had any problems or interstate tensions with India — never,” Putin said, highlighting decades of close cooperation between the two countries, particularly in defense and energy. He added that the Indian public would closely monitor the decisions of its leaders and would never accept bowing to outside diktats.
Accusing US of Hypocrisy
Putin also accused Washington of double standards, pointing out that while the US pressures countries like India to cut Russian energy imports, it continues to rely on Russia for other vital resources.
“The United States is one of the largest users of nuclear power plants. Since nuclear energy is well developed in the US, it requires a large amount of fuel,” he said. “We are not the largest supplier, but Russia is the second-largest supplier of uranium to the American market.”
Looking Ahead: Putin’s December Visit to India
The Russian President also confirmed that he would visit India in early December, signaling that trade and energy will dominate the agenda. Ahead of the visit, he has directed his government to prepare steps to address the trade imbalance and bolster economic cooperation.
With New Delhi facing US tariffs on key exports, Moscow’s willingness to expand purchases from India and deepen energy ties could serve as a counterweight to Washington’s pressure.
The remarks come at a time when India has resisted Western pressure to cut imports of discounted Russian oil, which has become a critical component of its energy security. For Moscow, India is now one of its largest buyers of crude, making the partnership economically vital amid Western sanctions.
By positioning Russia as a reliable partner willing to share burdens, Putin not only reinforced the strategic nature of the relationship but also signaled to Washington that its attempts at coercion may further consolidate ties between Moscow and New Delhi.
