India Says Russia Ties 'Time-Tested' As Trump Slams Relationship

New Delhi and Moscow have a "steady and time-tested partnership", India’s foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday, just days after US President Donald Trump ripped the South Asian nation over its ties with Russia.

Trump on Wednesday blasted India for continuing to purchase most of its military equipment and energy from Russia. The US leader imposed a surprise 25% tariff on India and threatened an additional penalty for its close ties with Moscow. 

A few hours later, Trump said that he does not “care what India does with Russia,” and referred to both nations as “dead economies.” The US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also criticized New Delhi for not being a “great global actor,” citing its close ties with Russia.

India on Friday said its ties with other nations are not subject to third-party perspectives. “Our bilateral relationships with various countries stand on their own merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country,” Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, told reporters in New Delhi. 

India has had a strong and stable relationship with Russia over the last seven decades. India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has referred to it as the one constant in global politics over the last half century. 

The South Asian nation buys about 35% of its crude oil from Russia, up from just 1% before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. India has become hooked on Russian seaborne crude oil because it comes at a discount to market rates. It also imports about 36% of its weapons from Russia. 

The country’s energy purchase is dictated by market forces and price, Jaiswal said on Friday, without offering any other details. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi maintains close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, having visited the country in October. Putin is scheduled to visit India later this year. 

On ties with the US, Jaiswal said India is “confident that the relationship will continue to move forward.” So far, New Delhi officials have offered a measured response to Trump’s tariffs, ruling out retaliation and trying to keep bilateral trade talks on track.

“This partnership has weathered several transitions and challenges,” Jaiswal added.