New Delhi: India firmly reiterated its longstanding and strategic partnership with Russia on Friday, making it clear that its foreign relations are not subject to third-party approval or influence. The statement came in response to recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who criticised India’s ongoing trade and defence engagement with Moscow. Addressing the media at the weekly press briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized the sovereign nature of India’s foreign policy decisions. “Our ties with any country stand on their own merit and should not be viewed through the prism of a third country,” Jaiswal stated, reaffirming New Delhi’s consistent stand on its independent diplomatic approach. Refuting Trump’s concerns over India’s continued defence and energy ties with Russia, Jaiswal explained that such partnerships are rooted in India’s strategic interests and national security priorities. “The sourcing of our defence requirements is guided solely by our national security imperatives and strategic assessments. Similarly, decisions related to energy imports are based on availability in the global market and prevailing international circumstances,” he said. The strong reaction from India follows President Trump’s scathing comments on social media, where he dismissed India’s partnership with Russia and accused both nations of having “dead economies.” In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.” The U.S. President also took a swipe at India’s trade policies, claiming that high tariffs have prevented stronger business ties between Washington and New Delhi. “We have done very little business with India. Their tariffs are too high — among the highest in the world,” Trump said. He further lashed out at Russia and took aim at former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, calling him a “failed former President” and warning him to “watch his words” while accusing him of acting as though he still holds office. Trump’s comments come amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Moscow, as well as increasing scrutiny of India’s participation in platforms like BRICS and its continued defence procurement from Russia. In June, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick echoed similar concerns, stating that some of India’s foreign policy decisions had “rubbed the United States the wrong way.” Despite these remarks, India appears unwavering in its stance. Officials have repeatedly stressed that India will pursue an independent foreign policy driven by national interests and geopolitical realities, rather than alignment with any global bloc or external pressure. India and Russia share decades of strong diplomatic, military, and economic cooperation. From defence deals and energy imports to collaboration in multilateral forums, the partnership has remained robust even amid shifting global alliances. With Friday’s remarks, India has once again made it clear: its global relationships — including with Russia — are guided by strategic autonomy, not dictated by geopolitical friction or rhetoric from other capitals.
