Jaishankar Says India-Russia Ties Are World’s Steadiest, Dismisses US Pressure

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday described the India-Russia relationship as one of the “steadiest major-power partnerships” in the world over the past seven to eight decades, asserting that President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to New Delhi was primarily aimed at “reimagining and re-energising” the bilateral ties with a sharp focus on expanding economic cooperation.

Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Jaishankar firmly rejected suggestions that the high-profile visit could complicate India’s ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, declaring that no country has the right to exercise a veto over New Delhi’s independent foreign policy choices. He emphasised that strategic autonomy remains a cornerstone of Indian diplomacy and that New Delhi maintains robust relations with all major global players simultaneously.

The Minister highlighted that while defence and political ties with Russia have remained exceptionally stable even during global upheavals, the economic dimension had lagged behind because both nations had historically prioritised partnerships with the West and China. Putin’s trip, he said, delivered concrete outcomes such as a landmark labour mobility agreement that will open seamless employment opportunities for Indian workers in Russia and a major joint venture in fertiliser production to secure India’s position as the world’s second-largest fertiliser importer.

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On the strained India-US trade talks amid Washington’s imposition of steep tariffs, including a 50 per cent levy linked to India’s purchase of Russian crude, Jaishankar made it clear that any bilateral deal will be negotiated strictly on national interest. He stressed that protecting Indian farmers, workers, small businesses, and the middle class will remain non-negotiable, regardless of external pressure.

Addressing wider geopolitical questions, Jaishankar reiterated that peace and tranquillity along the China border is the prerequisite for normal relations, noted that India refuses to hyphenate itself with Pakistan despite the latter’s military-driven hostility and support for terrorism, and expressed confidence that a democratic process in Bangladesh will eventually produce a balanced and mature approach toward New Delhi.

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