Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said any attempt to pressure India through sanctions would boomerang under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, backing New Delhi’s strategic autonomy and insisting that sovereign nations must remain free to choose their defence and economic partners.
Responding to questions from India Today’s Group Editor Geeta Mohan at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Putin said India has consistently pursued policies guided by its national interests and would continue to do so regardless of external pressure over its ties with Russia.
“India always acts as a sovereign country, and under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, any potential threats of sanctions would boomerang immediately,” Putin said.
Putin on SU-57 fighter jet
Putin revealed that Russia had earlier proposed a joint programme involving the SU-57 fighter aircraft with India but eventually developed the aircraft independently after the collaboration did not materialise.
“SU-57 is a very good aircraft, probably the most modern one, the most up-to-date in the world as of now,” Putin said. “We offered that we should do that together. Well, it didn’t work out, but we did it on our own, and we stand ready to sell SU-57.”
The Russian leader said the aircraft remains one of the most advanced fighters in service and noted that it can operate in multiple configurations, including command-and-control roles.
Defence ties ‘built on trust’
Putin described India-Russia defence cooperation as unique because it extends beyond simple buyer-seller transactions. “Our relations with Indian friends are specific in that, thanks to our mutual trust, we concentrate not just on trade, not just on buying and selling. We’re also concentrating on joint research and development.”
As an example, Putin pointed to the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile programme, which was jointly developed by Indian and Russian experts and has become one of the most successful defence collaborations between the two countries.
Putin recalls Modi’s US visa ban
In a notable remark, Putin referred to the period when Modi was denied a US visa before becoming prime minister, contrasting it with the strong ties India and the United States maintain today.
“We all remember the time when Prime Minister Modi was banned from going to the territory of the United States of America,” Putin said. “Now he’s the Prime Minister, all the sanctions have been eliminated, and the relationship between the USA and India are developing successfully.”
Putin added that he was confident Modi had not forgotten those experiences and suggested they demonstrated India’s ability to navigate changing geopolitical circumstances.
‘All-weather ties’
The Russian president stressed that Moscow’s defence cooperation with India was not dependent on changing political conditions. “Our cooperation with India, just like with all other partners of ours, is not subject to the political environment. We can’t be dictated, ‘Do not deliver that to India.’ Nobody can dictate us.”
He added that Russia would continue to stand by agreements reached with New Delhi. “We will always stand true to commitments given to our partners, especially countries such as India.”
