In a wide-ranging Dec. 3 interview with two reporters from India Today, prior to his departure for India, Russian President Vladimir Putin made it quite clear that his visit to India was of a strategic nature, and is indicative of the new state of international relations in the world today. In reply to questions regarding the pressure on India from the U.S. because of its continued support for Russia, Putin replied that India could not be treated in the same way it was treated 70 years ago. “India is a global player, not a British colony,” he said, “and people are just going to have to accept that.”
Putin defended India’s right to determine its own trade relationships, saying that any outside parties seeking to force their will on it will only harm themselves. “Those who attempt to limit economic interaction with third countries ultimately face problems and losses for themselves. I believe that when this understanding and awareness comes fully, this practice of external pressure will cease.”
He underlined that Russia’s relationship with India remained strong and was really a partnership. He noted that much of the discussion would center on India’s need for high-tech development, and would include areas like space, energy, particularly nuclear energy, shipbuilding, and aviation. There would also be discussions about cooperation in the development of AI, which will be a primary element in amplifying production.
The journalists asked specific questions about possible sales of S-400 missiles or the Sukhoi-57 to India. Putin responded by noting that India is “a privileged partner.” “I repeat, we are not just selling. We are sharing: that is a very rare occurrence in the sphere of military-technological cooperation, which speaks to our level of trust between governments and trust between peoples. And that’s in a broad array of items; in military shipbuilding, rocket construction and aviation construction.” He noted that India had developed the Brahmos missile in cooperation with Russia. “We are discussing cutting-edge technologies,” Putin said. Putin also indicated that the same went for Russian firms working with India. They are confident about the reliability in their interlocutors in the Indian market.
