India-Russia strategic partnership: Putin cites USD 100 billion trade goal and warns on Western pressure

Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Moscow’s strategic partnership with New Delhi, praising India’s economic growth and independent foreign policy. He said Russia aims to expand economic engagement and expects bilateral trade to reach USD 100 billion in coming years. Putin argued Western efforts to curb India’s cooperation with Russia are futile and harmful to global stability.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Western efforts to push India to reduce ties with Russia would fail. Putin also warned such pressure could harm global stability and wider diplomacy. The comments came during an interaction with heads of major global news agencies. Putin described India as a key partner for Moscow in economic and political matters.

Putin praised India’s fast economic growth and said Russia wanted deeper economic links. Putin said bilateral trade could reach USD 100 billion in the coming years. Putin linked India’s progress to domestic policy choices and consistent government work. Putin also said India follows an independent foreign policy based on national interests.

India-Russia relations and Western pressure

Putin said Moscow had not faced harm from Western pressure on India over Russia ties. Putin said such tactics would likely damage international relations instead. "Everyone has understood that putting pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India that has the largest population in the world, is detrimental for international relations and for bilateral relations. It doesnt matter where this pressure comes from, Putin said.\"

Putin added that Russia had not noticed practical fallout from the pressure campaign. \"We dont see any negative consequences, he added.\" Putin’s remarks came as some Western capitals showed concern about India-Russia relations. The United States has repeatedly urged India to reduce purchases of Russian crude oil.

In response to a question from s CEO and Editor-in-Chief Vijay Joshi, Putin credited India’s growth to government work. \"India is one of the leading economies of the world that has showed the highest rate of economic growth. This is not something that comes out of the blue. This is result of the hardwork that the government of India has been doing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Putin said in responding to a question from s CEO and Editor-in-Chief Vijay Joshi.\"

India-Russia relations and ties with the US

Putin said India’s engagement with Washington did not weaken its longstanding link with Russia. Putin said New Delhi would keep placing national interests first. \"We are glad that India is developing its relations with all countries it thinks important for its national interests, Putin said when asked whether Indias deep alignment with Washington creates structural friction for Russia.\"

Putin said Russia viewed India as a dependable partner and did not fear India’s ties elsewhere. Putin said India is a major nation and democracy. Putin also said Russia would keep expanding relations with India. Putin repeated that Moscow supported a stronger economic and diplomatic partnership with New Delhi.

Ukraine conflict and Russia’s view on mediation

Putin said Russia was open to resolving the Ukraine conflict, but Kyiv must be persuaded. Putin rejected the idea of European Union states acting as mediators in peace talks. Putin said the EU should press Kyiv to compromise rather than supply weapons. Putin said the Ukraine crisis was local, unlike Iran.

Putin questioned how Russia could trust actors seeking Russia’s strategic defeat. \"How can Russia trust people who have been harping about the need to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia for years? he said\" Putin also said Russia was ready to back any decision that supports de-escalation in West Asia.

Putin also raised doubts about Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s legitimacy as president. Putin said Zelenskyy’s presidential mandate had ended. \"Will they hold elections or not? We should ask these questions, he said in response to a question.\" Putin linked these issues to the wider debate on steps towards talks.

With inputs from PTI