Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday strongly backed India’s independent foreign policy, saying any attempt to pressure New Delhi through sanctions would fail under the leadership of Prime Minister
Narendra Modi.
Speaking during an interaction with India Today’s Geeta Mohan at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Putin said India has consistently made decisions based on its national interests and would continue to do so despite external pressure over its ties with Russia.
“India always acts as a sovereign country, and under the leadership of PM Modi, any potential threats of sanctions would boomerang immediately,” Putin said.
India Free To Choose Its Partners, Says Putin
Responding to questions on possible sanctions pressure from the United States if India purchases Russian defence systems, Putin said India has always followed an independent course in foreign and defence policy.
“India is a sovereign country, and it is free to choose those products that they consider to be most up-to-date and most applicable for them,” he said.
“No matter what people say, India has always been acting in this manner.”
According to Putin, India’s defence acquisition decisions would be guided by its own security requirements rather than political pressure from other countries.
Russia Ready To Supply Su-57 Fighter Jet
The Russian President also spoke about the Su-57 fighter aircraft, describing it as one of the most advanced combat jets currently in service.
Putin revealed that Moscow had earlier proposed a joint programme with India for the development of the aircraft. However, after the collaboration did not materialise, Russia proceeded with the project on its own.
“Su-57 is a very good aircraft, probably the most modern one, the most up-to-date in the world as of now,” Putin said.
“We offered that we should do that together. Well, it didn’t work out, but we did it on our own, and we stand ready to sell Su-57.”
He added that the aircraft is capable of operating in different configurations, including command-and-control roles.
Defence Partnership Based On Trust
Highlighting the long-standing defence relationship between the two countries, Putin said India-Russia cooperation goes beyond a conventional buyer-seller arrangement.
“Our relations with Indian friends are specific in that, thanks to our mutual trust, we concentrate not just on trade, not just on buying and selling,” he said.
“We’re also concentrating on joint research and development.”
As an example, Putin referred to the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile programme, which was jointly developed by Indian and Russian experts.
“Indian experts participated in the design of this missile from the very beginning, and Russian experts as well, and the outcome was great,” he said.
Putin Recalls Modi’s US Visa Ban
During the interaction, Putin also referred to the period before PM Modi became Prime Minister when he was denied a visa by the United States.
“We all remember the time when Prime Minister Modi was banned from going to the territory of the United States of America,” Putin said.
“Now he’s the Prime Minister, all the sanctions have been eliminated, and the relationship between the USA and India are developing successfully.”
Putin said the episode demonstrated India’s ability to adapt to changing geopolitical circumstances while maintaining its national interests.
‘Nobody Can Dictate Us’
The Russian President stressed that Moscow’s ties with New Delhi are not influenced by changing political conditions and said Russia would continue to honour its commitments to India.
“Our cooperation with India, just like with all other partners of ours, is not subject to the political environment,” Putin said.
“We can’t be dictated, ‘Do not deliver that to India.’ Nobody can dictate us.”
Reaffirming Russia’s commitment to its partnership with India, he added, “We will always stand true to commitments given to our partners, especially countries such as India.”
