National Times Bureau :- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday criticised US President Donald Trump’s administration for pressuring India to cut back on energy trade with Moscow. Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, Putin warned that such moves would raise global energy prices and hurt the US economy.
He said if Washington continued with higher tariffs on Russia’s trade partners, the cost of energy would rise further, forcing the US Federal Reserve to keep interest rates high, which would eventually slow down the American economy.
During the forum, attended by experts from over 140 countries, including India, Putin praised New Delhi’s independent stance. He announced plans to visit India in early December and instructed his government to find ways to reduce the trade imbalance caused by India’s large crude oil imports.
“We have never had any problems or tensions with India. Never,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not bow to outside pressure. “India will never allow itself to be humiliated. If India stops buying Russian energy, it could lose between $9–10 billion.”
Calling PM Modi his “friend,” Putin said he trusted India’s leadership and called US pressure “pointless” from an economic point of view.
To balance trade, Putin said Russia might increase imports of agricultural products and pharmaceuticals from India. “More agricultural goods and medicinal products can be purchased from India,” he added.
Putin also criticised Washington’s double standards. While the US pressures India and others over Russian oil imports, it continues to rely on Moscow for other resources.
“The United States is one of the largest users of nuclear energy and requires large amounts of fuel. Russia is the second-largest supplier of uranium to the American market,” he said.
