Putin Signalsโฃ Stronger Ties with India, Addresses Trade Imbalance Ahead of december Visit
Sochi, russiaโ – Russian โPresident Vladimir Putin has underscored the enduringโ strength of Russia-India relations,โ expressing anticipation for his upcoming visitโข to New Delhi โin early December. Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club forum on Thursday, Putin also directedโฃ his government to explore measures to address the current trade imbalance favoring India, largely due to new โฃDelhi’s significant crude oil imports from Russia.
Putin โemphasized the historically close ties between the two nations, stating, “We have never hadโ any problems or interstate tensions with India. Never.” โฃHe highlightedโ India’s recognition and recognition of Russia’s support during its independence struggle, a sentiment he believes continues to shapeโ the relationship today. โฃ
“[In India,] they remember this, they know it, โand โฃthey value it. We appreciate that India has not forgotten it,” Putinโข stated, characterizing the relationship as “special” and rooted โฃin decades of mutual respect.
The Russian President also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as a “balanced, wise, and nationally oriented” leader with whom he enjoys a comfortable โคand trustworthy rapport.โฃ “I feelโข comfortable in our interactions,” Putin noted, referring to Modi as a “friend.”
Addressing Trade Concerns
While celebratingโข theโข strength of theโข partnership, Putin acknowledged the need toโฃ recalibrate the economic โdynamic. India’s considerable imports of Russian crude oil have created a trade imbalance, and the Russian government is now focused on identifying strategies to diversify trade and reduce this disparity.โ Details of these measures were not disclosed during the forum.
Geopoliticalโ context
Putin’s remarks โcome amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions, andโ he also used โขthe forum โto criticize what he describedโ as U.S. pressure on countries like India and China to curtail their energy โคties with Moscow. He did not elaborate on specificโ instances of this alleged pressure.
Keywords: Vladimir Putin, India, Russia, Narendra Modi, trade, Energy, Geopolitics, Valdai โDiscussion Club, International Relations, Russia-India Relations, Crudeโ Oil, Trade โImbalance.