NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin has defended India’s expanding energy partnership with Moscow, arguing that “certain actors” dislike New Delhi’s rising influence and are creating artificial obstacles for political reasons, claiming Washington’s double standards in the US continues to buy Russian nuclear material.
In an interview with India Today released ahead of his two-day visit, Putin said Western sanctions and US penalty tariffs on Indian imports of Russian oil have not disrupted bilateral energy cooperation, which “remains unaffected”.
Pointing to what he called Washington’s double standards, Putin said the US continues to purchase Russian nuclear material. “As for India’s purchases or purchase of energy resources from Russia… the US itself still buys nuclear fuel from us for its own nuclear power plants,” he said. “If the US has the right to buy our fuel, why shouldn’t India have the same privilege?”
Emphasising that India–Russia engagement targets no third country, Putin said, “Neither me nor Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi… have ever approached our collaboration to work against someone.”
He stressed that India is now “a major global player” and that Modi “is not someone who bows to pressure easily”.
On trade, he said over 90 per cent of bilateral transactions are now conducted in national currencies, though intermediaries create complications.
Referring to his recent discussions with Trump in Alaska, Putin said the US President “sincerely aims for a peaceful resolution” to global conflicts and sees economic benefit in improving ties with Russia.
