Russian President Vladimir Putin has underlined the importance of the Russia-India strategic partnership and issued a clear warning to the United States over its military support for Ukraine.
Putin on India Ties and Trade Imbalance
Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Forum in Sochi, Putin said he looks forward to visiting India in December. He called the Russia-India relationship “special,” tracing it back to Soviet times and India’s independence struggle.
Putin praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “balanced, wise and nationally oriented” leader and referred to him as a friend. He noted that India resisted U.S. pressure to stop buying Russian crude oil, calling this an act of sovereignty that boosted India’s global prestige.
However, Putin admitted that India’s heavy crude oil imports have created a trade imbalance. To fix this, he ordered measures such as increasing Russian purchases of Indian agricultural goods and medicines. He also mentioned financing, logistics, and payment hurdles that must be resolved to unlock trade potential.
The Russian leader added that the Russia-India special strategic privileged partnership will soon mark its 15th anniversary. He welcomed a proposal to set up a joint fund for cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies.
Putin Commits to Boost Russian Purchases from India
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced plans to increase Russia’s purchases of agricultural products, medicines, and pharmaceuticals from India. Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club annual conference, he highlighted the existing trade imbalance, noting that bilateral trade between the two countries reached USD 68.7 billion in FY 2024-25. Of this, India exported only USD 4.88 billion to Russia, while importing USD 63.84 billion worth of goods, mostly crude oil. Putin has instructed the Russian government to develop measures to reduce this imbalance.
Putin explained that India’s heavy crude oil imports from Russia are a major factor behind the trade gap. He added that if India were to stop buying Russian energy supplies, it could result in losses of USD 9–10 billion for Russia. He praised India’s decision to continue crude imports despite US pressure, calling it a demonstration of the country’s sovereignty.
The Russian President also complimented Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as a “balanced, wise, and nationally oriented” leader. Putin emphasized the strong and tension-free relationship between Russia and India, highlighting that the two nations have maintained a stable partnership over the years. Increasing Russian purchases from India is seen as a step to strengthen this bilateral trade and balance economic ties.
Putin Warns US on Missiles to Ukraine
In another part of his remarks, Putin warned that U.S. plans to supply long-range missiles, including Tomahawk cruise missiles, to Ukraine would represent a new stage of escalation in U.S.-Russia relations.
He stressed that while such weapons could damage Russia, they would not change the battlefield outcome because Russian air defenses would adapt. Putin argued that Russia is fighting not only Ukraine but the entire NATO alliance backing it.
Praise for Trump’s Peace Talks
Putin also praised U.S. President Donald Trump for his peace negotiation efforts. He described their Alaska summit as productive and said Russia remains open to extending the New START nuclear arms treaty for one more year after its expiration in February.
Warning on Oil and NATO Tensions
Turning to energy security, Putin warned Western nations against seizing Russian oil tankers, calling it “piracy” that could provoke a strong response and destabilize global oil markets.
He dismissed Western accusations of Russian drone intrusions over NATO countries, saying they were attempts to fuel fear and justify higher defense spending. Putin said Russia would respond quickly to Europe’s growing militarization.
Key Takeaway
Putin’s statements show how Moscow is trying to balance closer economic cooperation with India while facing rising tensions with the West over Ukraine. The message combines trade diplomacy with tough warnings on security and energy issues, underscoring the complex geopolitical environment.
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