Modi reiterates 'time-tested' India-Russia relationship

Prime Ministry Narendra Modi on Thursday reiterated India's deep partnership with Russia, pushing back against President Trump's pressure to reduce engagement with Moscow.

“With Russia as a partner, we are strengthening a time-tested partnership,” Modi said at the inauguration of Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show. Russia is a partner country in this year's edition.

In his speech, he also highlighted the strong defense manufacturing ties between India and Russia by referring to a joint venture the two sides operate to produce production of AK-203 rifles for armed forces in.


For over seven decades, India has maintained a strong and stable partnership with Moscow. The two major economies have seen collaboration in key areas like space, nuclear energy, and defense.

But, US has stepped up pressure on India, urging it to reduce its dependence on Russian energy and arms, imposing scrutiny on the long-standing relationship between New Delhi and Moscow.

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Modi's remark adds to the India-US tensions escalated since President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, half of which was explicitly aimed at penalizing the country for its oil purchases from Russia.

While the two leaders have spoken in an effort to ease tensions, strains between the two countries continue to deepen amid trade frictions. The tensions were further fueled by Trump’s immigration policies.

As a response to the high tariffs, India has said that it will continue buying Russian energy as long as it remains financially viable. The government has not issued an official notification to both state-run and private refiners to scale back imports, Bloomberg reported earlier.

This week, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry said that the country is looking to increase purchases of oil and gas from the US. This move could possibly help narrow the trade gap between the two nations, addressing a key demand from the Trump administration.

In his Thursday speech, Modi reiterated his commitment for his 'Make in India' mission, to support businesses as India navigates a shifting global trade environment. Urging citizens to prioritize the consumption of 'Made in India' products over imported products, he said that Indians should now choose

On Thursday, Modi reiterated his commitment to supporting businesses as India navigates a shifting global trade environment. He also urged citizens to prioritize domestically-made products over imports.

“In this changing world, the more a country is dependent on others, the more their growth will be compromised,” said Modi. “India is no longer willing to be dependent on other countries.”

(With inputs from Bloomberg)