US tariffs: Putin says India will not allow itself to be humiliated; calls PM Modi a wise leader

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday warned the United States against pressuring India to stop buying Russian oil, saying New Delhi would never allow itself to be humiliated in front of anyone.

Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Group in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, Putin said, Will India give up our energy resources? If so, it will incur certain losses. Estimates vary; some say it could be around $9-10 billion. But if it doesnt refuse, sanctions will be imposed, and the loss will be the same. So why refuse if it also carries domestic political costs? [Indian people] will never allow themselves to be humiliated by anyone. I know Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi, he will also not make any such decisions, Putin said, as quoted by ANI.

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, the Russian president added, as cited by PTI. Putin lauded PM Modi, calling him a balanced, wise, and nationally oriented leader.

His remarks came after US President Donald Trump urged Europe, India, and China to stop purchasing Russian oil in a bid to cut Moscow’s funding for its war in Ukraine.

Putin also mentioned that India and Russia both share a special relationship. People in India do not forget about this and our relations, I believe. Some 15 years ago, we made an announcement about a privileged strategic partnership, and that is the best description. Prime Minister Modi is a very wise leader who thinks first about his country, news agency ANI quoted Putin, citing Russia Today.

The Russian leader warned that a cut in Russian energy supplies would hit the global economy hard, pushing oil prices above $100 per barrel. He stressed the importance of resolving trade and payment issues with New Delhi, noting that the matter could be addressed within Brics or through other channels.

Commenting on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Putin said, “All Nato countries are fighting us, and theyre no longer hiding it. Unfortunately, there are instructors (in Ukraine), and they’re actually taking part in combat operations. A centre was created specifically in Europe, and it essentially supports everything the Ukrainian armed forces do. It feeds information, transmits intelligence from space, and supplies weapons and gives training.

” Blaming Europe for the continuation of the war, Putin added that Russia was grateful to Brics and Arab nations for their peace efforts, as well as to its allies North Korea and Belarus.

Putin’s remarks came during a wide-ranging address where he also commented on Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, the supply of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, and the volatility in global energy markets.

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