Putin Confirms December Visit, Touts "Special" Partnership with India
Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed he will travel to India in early December for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, using the announcement to praise the "special" and "privileged strategic partnership" between the two nations. In his remarks, Putin also issued a sharp warning to the United States, cautioning that its attempts to pressure India over energy imports would ultimately backfire.
Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club, Putin lauded Prime Minister Modi as a "very wise leader who thinks first about his country" and would not permit India to be "humiliated" into making decisions that undermine its national interests. He stressed that the expanding economic cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi is based purely on practical calculations, not political maneuvering.
Putin directly criticized Washington's efforts to persuade India to reduce its energy trade with Russia, arguing that such pressure would disrupt global markets and have negative consequences for the US economy. He warned that driving up international energy prices could force the Federal Reserve to maintain high interest rates, thereby slowing American economic growth.
The confirmation of the visit, which the Kremlin says is in "full swing" of preparation, reaffirms the enduring strength of the India-Russia relationship despite a complex geopolitical landscape.
Highlights of the Summit Announcement
• High-Level Summit Confirmed: Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India in early December for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Strong Bilateral Praise: Putin hailed the "special strategic partnership" between the two countries and praised PM Modi as a "very wise leader."
• Warning to the US: He issued a direct warning to Washington, stating that pressuring India on energy imports could have negative economic consequences for the United States itself.
• Economic Focus: Putin emphasized that the robust India-Russia cooperation is driven by economic calculations and national interest, not political alignment.
