Russian President Vladimir Putin has strongly defended India’s strategic autonomy, asserting that any attempts by Western nations to pressure New Delhi through sanctions would “boomerang immediately” and reaffirming that India consistently acts in accordance with its national interests.

Speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday, Putin praised India’s independent foreign policy and highlighted the country’s growing influence in global technology and economic affairs.

“India always acts as a sovereign country and under the leadership of PM Modi, any potential threats of sanctions would boomerang immediately,” Putin said, while noting that New Delhi remains free to choose the products, technologies and partnerships that best serve its interests.

The remarks come amid continuing international scrutiny of India’s economic and energy ties with Russia, as New Delhi maintains a balanced approach to global partnerships while pursuing its own strategic priorities.

Russia Says India Partnership Unaffected By Political Pressures

Putin emphasised that Moscow’s relationship with India is rooted in long-term strategic interests and remains insulated from changing geopolitical circumstances.

“Our cooperation with India, just like with all other partners of ours, is not subject to the political environment,” he said.

The Russian leader added that no external power could dictate Russia’s dealings with India and stressed that Moscow would continue to honour all commitments made to its partners.

“We will always stand true to commitments given to our partners, especially partners like India,” Putin stated.

He also acknowledged the positive trajectory of India-US relations, suggesting that New Delhi has successfully maintained constructive ties with multiple global powers while preserving its strategic independence.

According to Putin, India has the sovereign right to select products and technologies that offer the best combination of quality, suitability and value.

BRICS Outpacing G7 In Global Economic Growth

During his address, Putin also highlighted the growing economic weight of the BRICS grouping, arguing that it has surpassed the Group of Seven in terms of overall economic size measured by purchasing power parity.

Citing recent economic data, he said BRICS countries accounted for nearly half of global GDP growth over the past five years, compared with a much smaller contribution from G7 economies.

“If you look at the global GDP dynamics of the last five years, you will see that almost half of its annual growth, 49 per cent, is accounted for by BRICS countries, whereas the contribution of the so-called Group of Seven is estimated at 18 per cent,” Putin said.

According to the Russian President, BRICS currently accounts for approximately 40 per cent of global GDP on a purchasing power parity basis, compared with less than 29 per cent for the G7.

He argued that the gap is expected to widen further in the coming years, with BRICS economies projected to grow at more than 4 per cent annually, significantly outpacing projected growth rates among developed Western economies.

India Recognised As Global Technology Leader

Putin singled out India as one of Russia’s most important partners within BRICS and praised the country’s achievements in information technology and software development.

Calling India a leading force in the global IT industry, he noted the country’s substantial contribution to the international software market and its reputation for technological innovation.

“Another of our key partners, India, is one of the leading players in the IT industry,” Putin said.

He further highlighted India’s growing role in the global digital economy, describing the country as a major contributor to software services and technological advancement worldwide.

The remarks underscore Russia’s continued efforts to deepen cooperation with India across sectors including trade, technology, energy and defence, while also reflecting Moscow’s broader push to strengthen economic partnerships within the BRICS framework amid shifting global economic dynamics.

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