Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the cooperation between India and Russia is not against any country and its purpose is only to protect the national interests of both the countries.
Putin has made this comment in the background of America’s aggressive attitude towards India and Russia.
Regarding India’s energy relations with Russia, Putin said that some “elements” dislike India’s growing role in international markets given India’s close ties with Russia and these elements are trying to create “artificial barriers” to limit India’s influence for political reasons.
The Russian President, in an interview to a private news channel on Thursday evening, said his country’s energy cooperation with India is largely “unaffected”, referring to Western sanctions against Russia.
Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening on a two-day visit to hold summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Russian President’s visit to India comes at a time when India-US relations are possibly at their worst in the last two decades and the US has imposed a hefty 50 per cent duty on Indian goods, including a 25 per cent tax on purchases of crude oil from Russia.
“Despite some external pressure, neither I nor Prime Minister Modi have ever used our partnership to work against anyone,” the Russian President said in response to a question on America’s aggressive stance.
He said, “US President Donald Trump has his own agenda, his own goals, whereas our focus is on ourselves – not against anyone, but our goal is to protect our own interests, the interests of India and Russia.”
Rejecting America’s objection to India buying crude oil from Russia, Putin said that if America has the right to buy Russian fuel, then why should India also not get this privilege.
Putin said, “As far as India’s purchase of energy resources from Russia is concerned, I would like to point out and have mentioned this once before that America itself buys nuclear fuel from us for its nuclear power plants.”
“There has been a slight decline in total trade turnover during the first nine months of this year,” the Russian President said in response to a question about India reducing purchases of Russian crude in view of Western sanctions on Russia. It’s just a minor adjustment. Overall, our trade turnover remains almost at the same level as before.
Putin also said that India can no longer be treated the way it was treated decades ago.
He said, “Prime Minister Modi is not a person who comes under pressure easily. Indian people can definitely be proud of their leader. This is absolutely clear.”
He said, “His stand is firm and clear without any confrontational position. Our goal is not to instigate conflict; Rather, our goal is to protect your legal rights. India also wants the same.
On the Ukraine conflict, Putin said that he believes America is actively looking for a solution to this problem. He said, “I have full confidence and no doubt that he (Trump) sincerely wants a peaceful solution.”
Putin said Trump actually wants to end hostilities and prevent further loss of life and property.
“But there could also be political interests or economic motives behind ending the conflict between Russia and Ukraine,” he said.
On bilateral trade, Putin said that “more than 90 percent of our transactions already take place in national currencies.”
“Although some complexities arise due to the presence of many middlemen, there are solutions,” he said.
The Russian President also praised the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.
“Our collaborative efforts with Prime Minister Modi are important because they go beyond our mutual relations,” he said.
“Given its direct relevance to both countries, ensuring stability in critical areas is of utmost importance as it helps ensure the achievement of our objectives,” he said. Prime Minister Modi has set very challenging tasks for the country – first for himself, then for the administration and finally for the nation.