Russian President Vladimir Putin has strongly reaffirmed Moscow’s close relationship with India, describing bilateral ties as “brotherly” and founded on deep mutual trust, while asserting that no external power can dictate the nature of Russia’s engagement with New Delhi.

Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday, Putin praised India’s technological capabilities, skilled workforce and strategic autonomy, even as New Delhi continues to face scrutiny from Western countries over its energy imports from Russia.

The Russian leader said India possesses globally recognised expertise in several sectors, particularly software development and coding.

“We know how talented the Indian people are and how well educated they are. Indians possess outstanding competencies that have earned global recognition, especially in coding and several other fields,” Putin said during his address.

Energy Cooperation Gains Importance Amid Global Uncertainty

Putin highlighted the growing significance of India-Russia energy cooperation at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and concerns over disruptions to global supply chains.

Referring to developments affecting shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, the Russian President said close cooperation between Indian and Russian companies had proven beneficial for both countries.

According to Putin, Russia has increased energy supplies to India and other Asian markets while continuing to share technological expertise and industrial solutions with its partners.

He suggested that the decision by businesses on both sides to deepen cooperation had strengthened energy security and economic resilience amid global market volatility.

The remarks come as India continues to diversify its energy sourcing strategy while maintaining strong trade relations with multiple global partners.

‘Nobody Can Dictate Terms To Us’

In one of his strongest remarks, Putin rejected the idea that external powers could influence Russia’s partnerships, stressing that Moscow would continue to honour commitments made to trusted allies.

“Nobody can dictate terms to us, and nobody would even try to do so. We will always honour the commitments we make to our partners, especially partners like India,” he said.

The comments appeared aimed at ongoing international debates surrounding trade and energy ties between India and Russia following geopolitical tensions in Europe and elsewhere.

Putin also emphasised that India’s decisions regarding imports, defence procurement and economic partnerships are sovereign choices made in accordance with its national interests.

“India is free to choose the products it considers most advanced, most suitable for its needs, and those that offer the best value in terms of price and quality,” he said.

Defence And Technology Partnership Remains Strong

The Russian President also underlined the long-standing defence and technological cooperation between the two countries, noting that a significant portion of India’s military equipment has historically been sourced from Russia and the former Soviet Union.

He described the partnership as unique, arguing that it extends beyond commercial transactions and encompasses joint research, development and technology collaboration.

“This is a tradition that dates back to the Soviet era. Our relationship with our Indian friends is unique because it is built on mutual trust. We are focused not merely on trade and commerce, but also on joint research and development,” Putin said.

The Russian leader further praised PM Modi’s leadership, suggesting that attempts to pressure India over its policy choices would ultimately prove counterproductive.

At the same time, Putin acknowledged the steady development of India-US relations, stating that New Delhi maintains the freedom to pursue partnerships with multiple countries while independently determining what best serves its national interests.

His remarks reflect Russia’s continued efforts to strengthen strategic cooperation with India across energy, defence, technology and trade, despite shifting geopolitical alignments and increasing competition among major global powers.

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