Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has doubled down on his country's relationship with Russia, describing Vladimir Putin as a "friend" just days after President Donald Trump imposed punitive 50% tariffs on Indian goods over Moscow oil imports.
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| US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on February 13, 2025. Reuters |
"I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine," Modi wrote on X, adding that both leaders "reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership."
The timing of Modi's public endorsement of Putin carries particular significance, coming as Trump has doubled tariffs on Indian imports from 25% to 50% - measures set to take effect on August 27. The tariffs specifically target India's continued purchases of Russian oil, which Washington argues helps fund Putin's war in Ukraine.
Despite the mounting economic pressure, Modi indicated the relationship would only strengthen, announcing plans to **host Putin in India later this year** for their annual bilateral summit.
Decades-Old Alliance Proves Resilient
The defiant stance reflects India's calculation that its relationship with Russia transcends current geopolitical tensions. "Russia has been an all-weather ally of India," explained Praveen Donthi, a senior analyst for India at International Crisis Group. "It's been a long and reliable friend. It is like a legacy relationship that goes back six decades."
This six-decade partnership has weathered previous global crises, with Russia serving as India's primary defense supplier and energy partner long before the Ukraine conflict began.
Trump's Pressure Campaign Intensifies
The escalating dispute represents a significant souring of US-India relations since Modi's February visit to the White House. Last week, Trump described both India and Russia's economies as "dead" and accused India of showing indifference to Ukrainian casualties.
The US president has also indicated he may pause bilateral trade negotiations until India resolves the oil import issue, rejecting the idea of advancing a trade agreement until India ceases Russian oil purchases.
The diplomatic fallout has already disrupted high-level defense cooperation, with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh deferring a planned US visit originally scheduled for late August.
Russia Offers Counter-Support
Moscow has rallied to India's defense amid the US pressure campaign. "Sovereign countries have the right to choose their own trading partners," declared Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, condemning attempts to "force countries to sever trading relations" with Russia as "illegitimate."
This mutual support comes as Putin prepares for crucial peace talks with Trump in Alaska on August 15, where the Ukraine war will dominate discussions.
India's Economic Justification
New Delhi has consistently defended its Russian energy purchases as economically necessary. The Indian government characterizes the oil imports as driven by "global market conditions" rather than political alignment, arguing that securing affordable energy serves India's national interests.
Indian Oil Corporation significantly expanded Russian oil imports after the Ukraine war began, taking advantage of discounted prices as Western sanctions limited Moscow's customer base.
Broader Geopolitical Implications
The standoff highlights the challenges facing Trump's foreign policy approach as he attempts to isolate Russia economically while maintaining partnerships with key allies. India's refusal to bow to tariff pressure demonstrates the limits of economic coercion when confronting deeply entrenched strategic relationships.
As Putin and Modi prepare for their upcoming summit, the India-Russia partnership appears positioned to not only survive current pressures but potentially emerge strengthened by shared resistance to what both nations view as illegitimate US economic interference.
The dispute also underscores India's determination to maintain strategic autonomy in an increasingly polarized global environment, refusing to choose sides even when facing significant economic consequences.
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