Russian President Vladimir Putin has underscored that the longstanding partnership between India and Russia is not directed against any third country, asserting that the objective of the two sides is to safeguard their own national interests while ensuring that their cooperation remains constructive and non-confrontational. His remarks come at a time when the United States is increasing pressure on New Delhi to scale down its imports of Russian crude oil and defence equipment. Speaking in an interview ahead of his arrival in New Delhi for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Putin underlined the strength and resilience of bilateral ties, particularly in the sectors of civil nuclear energy, defence, hydrocarbons, and emerging technologies.

Putin stated that neither he nor Prime Minister Modi has ever approached the India–Russia partnership as a “project against someone else”, despite external pressures. Rather, he said, the focus has always been on advancing mutually beneficial collaboration while maintaining stability in the global system. Addressing a question about US President Donald Trump’s possible response to deeper India–Russia engagement, he noted that world leaders pursue their own priorities, but India and Russia have chosen a path rooted in respect, cooperation, and independence. He added that leaders from other nations must recognise that India and Russia do not seek to undermine any country but instead aim to protect legitimate national goals.

A significant portion of Washington’s pressure campaign has revolved around India’s purchases of Russian crude oil. Putin pointed out that the US itself buys Russian nuclear fuel for its reactors, and therefore, India should not be held to a different standard. He questioned why one nation should have the freedom to procure Russian energy while another is asked to halt such trade. Putin said Moscow remains open to discussions, even with the US leadership, about this perceived double standard. According to him, Washington’s actions to curb India’s Russian oil imports are examples of political tools being used to distort fair market competition.

He further emphasised that Russia’s energy cooperation with India has remained steady despite the geopolitical turbulence following the Ukraine crisis. Transactions between the two nations, he said, have increasingly shifted to national currencies, with more than 90% of trade settled outside the dollar system. In instances where financial complications arise, Russia and India have created mechanisms to maintain the flow of trade, including the use of electronic messaging systems between the two countries’ banks. These arrangements, he said, are already functioning and continue to evolve.

India has been subjected to punitive economic measures from Washington, including a 25% levy imposed due to its continued oil trade with Russia. American officials have also criticised New Delhi’s longstanding defence partnership with Moscow, urging India to reduce its dependence on Russian military hardware. In response, Putin stressed that trade and technology cooperation between India and Russia is built on trust and shared strategic priorities, not coercion. He acknowledged that there was a slight decline in overall bilateral trade in the first nine months of 2025 but noted that petroleum trade and refining operations continue uninterrupted.

Putin highlighted that Indo–Russian cooperation in the hydrocarbons sector predates recent geopolitical crises. He cited the acquisition of a major Indian refinery by a leading Russian company, describing it as one of the largest foreign investments in India, valued at more than $20 billion. He said that this partnership has strengthened India’s position in global energy markets, making it a key supplier of refined products to Europe. According to him, some international actors are uncomfortable with India’s growing influence, which is supported by its energy ties with Russia. These actors, he suggested, are attempting to curtail India’s rise by imposing politically motivated barriers.

Asked about how India and Russia should respond to the evolving US economic posture under the Trump administration, particularly Washington’s strategy of using tariffs as leverage, Putin said every government makes decisions based on what it perceives to be in its own interest. While Russian experts believe that excessive tariff policies create economic risks, Moscow does not interfere in other countries’ domestic economic choices. He expressed hope that any breaches of WTO principles would eventually be corrected.

Putin framed the broader context of India–Russia relations within the shifting global order, where new centres of power are emerging. In such a world, he said, it is essential for major nations to maintain stability in order to foster constructive bilateral and international engagements. The partnership between India and Russia, he noted, carries weight not only because of its depth but also because it is rooted in a shared vision for a balanced global system.

India’s rapid rise—economically, demographically, and strategically—means the world is closely observing its major diplomatic engagements, including Putin’s visit. He underscored India’s significance as a nation of 1.5 billion people with one of the fastest-growing large economies, expanding at around 7% annually. Putin emphasised that India’s global stature is now vastly different from that of 77 years ago, and that Prime Minister Modi is known for his firm, independent approach that does not bend easily to external pressure. According to him, Modi’s style is principled yet non-confrontational, aligning with Russia’s own approach of protecting legitimate interests without provoking conflict.

A central pillar of the India–Russia relationship is defence cooperation. Putin described India as one of Russia’s most trusted and privileged defence partners. What sets this relationship apart, he said, is that Moscow does not merely sell weapons to India; it shares advanced technologies, enabling domestic manufacturing. The production of T-90 tanks in India, the operation of numerous Russian-origin aircraft by the Indian Air Force, and the successful BrahMos supersonic cruise missile programme—all joint endeavours—reflect the depth of this technological partnership. He noted that Russian and Indian teams are now discussing advanced weapon systems, and that the battlefield experiences of recent years have increased the value of certain Russian technologies.

In the civil nuclear domain, Putin said Russia produces some of the world’s most advanced and reliable reactor systems. Rosatom, the state-run nuclear corporation, operates 22 nuclear units globally and is building multiple reactors in India, including those at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu. He underlined the strong performance of these reactors, which are large, efficient, and built to high engineering standards. Russia is also the only country with the capability to build small modular nuclear stations, both floating and land-based, which could be viable for isolated regions or places with limited energy demand.

Putin concluded by reiterating that the India–Russia partnership is forward-looking and deeply rooted in emerging high-technology fields such as space exploration, nuclear energy, aviation, shipbuilding, and artificial intelligence. He stressed that the collaboration is built on respect, trust, and a shared understanding of global changes, and that both nations are committed to pursuing their interests without undermining the rights or security of others.