Russian President Vladimir Putin told Washington not to try to strong-arm India and China with tariffs and sanctions, saying, “You cannot talk to India or China in that way.”
Addressing the media after attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit and a military parade in China, Putin accused the Trump administration of using economic pressure as a tool to undermine two of Asia’s biggest powers.
Calling India and China “partners,” Putin said the US tariff regime was an attempt to “weaken the leadership of these countries.”
“You have countries like India with 1.5 billion people, China, powerful economies, but they also have their own domestic political mechanisms and laws,” he said. “When somebody tells you they are going to punish you, you have to think — how can the leadership of those big countries react?”
He said that history weighs heavily on the political instincts of both nations. “They had difficult periods in their histories too, like colonialism, tax on their sovereignty during a prolonged period of time. If one of them shows weakness, his political career will be over. So that influences his behaviour.”
Putin also stressed that Washington’s rhetoric echoes outdated thinking. “The colonial era is now over. They have to realise they can’t use these terms in speaking with partners,” he said.
The Russian leader suggested tensions would eventually ease. “Ultimately, things will be sorted out, everything will take its place, and we will see normal political dialogue again,” he said.
Putin’s comments come as India faces US sanctions for buying Russian oil, while China remains locked in a trade war with Washington.
US PRESIDENT HINTS AT MORE SANCTIONS AGAINST INDIA
While US President Donald Trump doubled down on India, saying his administration had slapped secondary sanctions on India for continuing to purchase Russian oil and signalled that more measures could follow.
He claimed the step had already cost Moscow “hundreds of billions of dollars” and warned that “phase two” and “phase three” sanctions were still on the table.
Trump added that his warning to India had been clear. “Two weeks ago, I said, if India buys, India’s got big problems, and that’s what happens,” he said.
PUTIN PRAISES INDIA’S EFFORTS IN RESOLVING UKRAINE CONFLICT
Earlier on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin also said he “highly valued” the contributions of India and other strategic partners in facilitating a resolution to the Ukraine conflict.
“We highly value the efforts and proposals of China, India, and our other strategic partners aimed at facilitating the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis,” Putin said at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
– Ends
With inputs from agenices
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