”We cannot interfere in the diplomatic relations between the US and India. We understand that there is pressure over India,” Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at an online media briefing organised by the Sputnik news agency.
Photo: IANS
Even as India and Russia explore the possibility of stitching some mega deals, including those on defence, during President Vladimir Putin’s December 4-5 visit to New Delhi, Moscow on Tuesday ruled out intervening in India’s bilateral issues with the United States, especially those concerning tariffs.
”We cannot interfere in the diplomatic relations between the US and India. We understand that there is pressure over India,” Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at an online media briefing organised by the Sputnik news agency.
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Explaining Moscow’s position further in the matter, he said, “This is the reason we have to be careful in creating an architecture of the relationship that must be free of any influence coming from any third country.”
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Highlighting India’s independent foreign policy decisions, Peskov added, “We know that India is very sovereign in defining its national interests. We admire this characteristic of India,” underlining Russia’s view that New Delhi acts with strategic autonomy in global affairs.
His remarks came amid hectic preparations by both New Delhi and Moscow to ensure the success of President Putin’s two-day trip, during which he will hold the 23rd India-Russia Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, apart from attending a banquet to be hosted in his honour by President Droupadi Murmu. Cooperation between India and Russia in defence, strategic, economic, and commerce sectors will be high on the agenda of the two sides during the visit, which will be keenly watched in major world capitals. India has been under intense pressure from the US to reduce its oil imports. Washington has also imposed high tariffs on India as a retaliatory step.
Regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the Kremlin spokesperson said Russia respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi and appreciated India’s readiness to look for peaceful solutions.
He said President Putin’s visit will deliver “significant outcomes” across strategic, defence, energy and trade sectors. The visit is set to further consolidate a relationship rooted in “mutual understanding, partnership, and a shared vision of global affairs based on the rule of law”.
Peskov underscored the historical depth of the partnership, noting that Moscow has stood “shoulder to shoulder” with India in crucial phases of its growth. He emphasised that strategic and defence cooperation remain “sensitive areas,” but reaffirmed
Russia’s readiness to share its expanded expertise in various domains, including emerging technologies.
He said Russia continues to supply energy to India at competitive prices, calling it a “mutual benefit”. On the nuclear front, he confirmed ongoing collaboration and future projects, stating that Russian assistance has helped create “a separate sectoral ecosystem” within India’s nuclear industry.
Trade is likely to be a key focus during the visit. Russia-India bilateral trade has touched USD 63 billion, with a target of crossing USD 100 billion before 2030. However, Peskov acknowledged attempts by “some actors” to obstruct the trade relationship, in an indirect attack against the US.
To address the current imbalance, he said Russia intended to increase imports from India. A business congress involving companies from both countries will convene a day before President Putin’s arrival to identify opportunities for boosting Indian exports, Peskov said.
On geopolitical issues, he expressed appreciation for India’s nuanced position on the Ukraine conflict, referencing Prime Minister Modi’s statement that “this is not an era of war”. He said Russia values India’s willingness to listen to Moscow’s perspective, contrasting it with the lack of dialogue with Europe. He also confirmed ongoing negotiations involving US interlocutors, adding that Moscow remains open to peaceful settlement efforts.
On Moscow’s growing ties with Beijing, Peskov said Russia seeks to enhance cooperation “in every field as far as India allows”, stressing that the partnerships with India and China are both strong but independent.
He indicated that defence issues, including the S-400 missile defence system and the Sukhoi-57 fighter jets, are expected to come up during the visit. Peskov noted that Russian-origin platforms currently constitute 36 per cent of India’s defence imports.
On counter-terrorism, Peskov condemned the recent blast in Delhi and reiterated Russia’s long-standing solidarity with India against terrorism, calling for stronger international cooperation.
Peskov said discussions are also likely on the Chennai–Vladivostok maritime corridor, Chabahar port cooperation, and de-dollarisation trends, noting rising global interest in national currencies amid “unpredictability” in the international system.
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