India will never allow any humiliation: Putin praises 'balanced and wise leader' Modi slamming US tariffs

Putin made the remark at the plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi.

The Russian President said as quoted by NDTV, "There is no political aspect here... If India refuses our energy supplies, it will suffer certain losses. Estimates vary; some say it could be around $9-10 billion. But if it doesn't refuse, sanctions will be imposed, and the loss will be the same. So why refuse if it also carries domestic political costs?"

"Of course, the people of a country like India, believe me, will closely monitor the decisions made by the political leadership and will never allow any humiliation in front of anyone.

"And then, I know Prime Minister Modi; he himself would never take any steps of this kind... The losses faced by India due to punitive US tariffs would be balanced by crude imports from Russia, plus it will gain prestige as a sovereign nation," he added.

Calling India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi "balanced and wise leader", Putin stressed on the "special" relationship between Moscow and New Delhi.

Putin said this days after Trump during his address in the United Nations General Assembly called India and China the "primary funders" of the Ukraine war.

The Trump administration, which was earlier viewed as India-friendly, has slapped a 25 percent tariff on the South Asian country for its high tariffs on American exports and another 25 percent for purchasing oil from Russia, which is fighting a war against Ukraine.

Since the conflict in Ukraine began in early 2022, India significantly increased its imports of discounted Russian crude oil—now comprising over 30 percent of its total crude imports.

Indian refineries then export refined petroleum products globally, which critics, especially in the U.S., argue indirectly supports Russia’s war effort by funneling money into its economy.

In response, the US proposed tariffs and trade measures targeting India’s exports to discourage this behavior.

India said that, like any major economy, it will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.

Modi unequivocally said India won't compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen and livestock rearers.