Russia Affirms Deepening India Ties Despite US Tariff Pressure

Russia has strongly reaffirmed its strategic partnership with India, emphasizing that the relationship is reliable, steadily progressing, and based on sovereignty and national interests despite pressure from US President Donald Trump. Moscow praised India for resisting US and Western demands to impose tariffs or sever ties, particularly in response to Trump's tariffs on Indian goods linked to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil. The Russian Foreign Ministry highlighted that India-Russia cooperation spans multiple sectors, including civilian and military production, space missions, nuclear power, and energy investments. Both countries are also working on expanding payment systems using their national currencies and developing alternative transport and logistics routes, framing these initiatives as long-term commitments rather than mere reactions to geopolitical pressures. India has rejected US accusations that its Russian energy imports fuel the Ukraine conflict, calling the tariffs unfair and unjustified. The partnership reflects the spirit of long-standing friendship and India’s strategic autonomy in international affairs, with Russia asserting that any attempt to disrupt this alliance is destined to fail.