In a pointed attack at Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the United States of ‘artificially constraining’ India’s rise in global energy markets while quietly expanding its own purchases of Russian uranium. He says he will debate and discuss the matter with Trump directly.
Calling out what he termed Washington’s “double standards,” Putin asked why India should be penalised for buying Russian crude when the US continues to import Russian nuclear fuel for its own power plants.
In an interview to India Today released hours before he landed in New Delhi for a two-day visit, Putin even commented that ‘certain actors’ a seemingly veiled reference to Trump, “do not like India’s growing role in international markets” and are imposing obstacles “for political reasons.”
Trump not only imposed a 50% tariff on India for buying Russian oil but also sanctioned two Russian oil refineries for an oil dealings with India.
‘US buys from us—so why punish India?: Putin
Pressed on Western sanctions and Trump’s penalty tariffs on India for importing Russian oil, Putin questioned Trump’s credibility. He even claimed Russia will raise the matter directly with Trump.
“If the US has the right to purchase fuel from us, why should India be deprived of such a right? That is a matter to be studied closely, and we are prepared to discuss that and debate that with President Trump,” Putin commented.
Russia is the second-largest supplier of enriched uranium to the US, accounting for about 25% of the sales. It is expected to pocket around $1.2 billion from uranium sales to America this year.
Putin effectively asked, “If America can buy Russian energy without guilt, why is India punished for doing the same?”
In the interview, Putin framed the US move as an attempt to curb India’s strategic rise and stated despite that India-Russia partnership remains intact, “Our energy cooperation with India remains unaffected by current conditions, fleeting political swings or tragic events in Ukraine.”
Modi lives and breathes India: Putin
Praising PM Narendra Modi he said, “We have very trustworthy and friendly relations. He is a very reliable person. In that sense, I’m speaking very sincerely. India got lucky. He lives and breathes India”.
Putin’s remarks set the stage for a summit where energy, payments and sanctions evasions sit uncomfortably alongside India’s need to stabilise ties with Washington ahead of a proposed trade deal.