Putin defends India’s Russian oil imports, praises Modi

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said India–Russia cooperation is not aimed against any country and is focused solely on protecting the national interests of both sides.

He made the remarks in an interview released on Thursday evening as he arrived in New Delhi for a two-day visit and summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Against the backdrop of Washington’s aggressive approach towards New Delhi and Moscow, Putin said certain “actors” are uncomfortable with India’s growing role in international markets and are creating “artificial obstacles” for political reasons, particularly over India’s energy ties with Russia.

In his interview to India Today, the Russian president said Western sanctions against Moscow have not significantly affected bilateral energy cooperation. “Neither me nor Prime Minister Modi, despite certain external pressure we face, have never approached our collaboration to work against someone,” he said.

Putin landed in New Delhi this evening for the summit with Modi. His visit comes amid the sharp downturn in India–US ties after Washington imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, including a 25 per cent levy linked to New Delhi’s procurement of Russian crude.

“President Trump has his own agenda, his own goals, whereas we focus on ours — not against anyone, but rather aimed at safeguarding our respective interests, India’s and Russia’s interests,” he said.

Rejecting US objections to India’s crude oil imports from Russia, he said: “As for India’s purchase of energy resources from Russia, I would like to note and have already mentioned this once, the US itself still buys nuclear fuel from us for its own nuclear power plants.” He added, “If the US has the right to buy Russian fuel, why shouldn’t India have the same privilege.”

On reports that India reduced crude purchases from Russia under Western pressure, Putin said there was only a “minor adjustment” in overall trade in the first nine months of the year. “Trade in petroleum products and crude oil… is running smoothly in India,” he said.

Putin said India “cannot be treated the way it was several decades back” and praised Modi’s leadership. “Prime Minister Modi is not someone who succumbs to pressure easily. The Indian people can certainly take pride in their leader. This is absolutely obvious,” he said. “His stance is unwavering and straightforward, without being confrontational.”

On the Ukraine conflict, Putin said he believed the US is seeking a solution. “I am absolutely certain, with no doubt at all, he (Trump) sincerely aims for a peaceful resolution,” he said, adding Trump wants to end the hostilities and prevent further loss of lives, though political or economic motives may also be involved.

The Russian president also highlighted the shift to national currencies in bilateral trade. “Over 90 per cent of our transactions are already conducted in national currencies,” he said, while noting the presence of “numerous intermediaries” causing complications.

Putin again credited Modi’s role in bilateral ties. “Our collaborative endeavours with Prime Minister Modi carry significant weight because they transcend our mutual ties,” he said. “Prime Minister Modi sets very challenging tasks for the country — and for himself in the first place, then for the administration, and eventually for the nation.”

On whether India is considering additional S-400 missile systems, Putin said the defence partnership operates at a different level. “India stands out as one of our reliable and privileged partners in this area. We are not merely selling something to India and India isn’t merely buying something from us,” he said.

He added that Russia shares defence technology with India. “It is a very rare thing to see in the sphere of military-technical cooperation. It speaks to the level of trust between the two countries,” he said, noting cooperation in “naval construction, rocket and missile engineering, and aircraft engineering”.