India reaffirms strong ties with Russia, calls Moscow a ‘time-tested partner,’ rejects US pressure

India stands firm on Russia ties despite US pressure, calls Moscow a ‘time-tested partner’. MEA affirms independent foreign policy on defense/energy deals while balancing US relations. No confirmation on halting Russian oil imports.

New Delhi: On August 1, 2025, India's Ministry of External Affairs ruled out the possibility of any tensions following US President Donald Trump's sharp statements on India-Russia relations.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that India's bilateral relations are based on its national needs and independent foreign policy, and not on the views of any third country. He stressed that Russia has been a reliable and time-tested partner of India, especially in the field of defense and energy.

Emphasis on defense and energy cooperation

Regarding defense cooperation, Jaiswal said that India determines its military needs based on national security interests and strategic assessment. The remarks came in response to questions raised by the US on India-Russia defense deals.

Also, regarding Russian oil supplies, he clarified that India's energy policy depends on market availability and global conditions. However, he did not give any clear confirmation on rumors of Indian companies stopping Russian oil imports.

Balanced stance on India-US relations

The Ministry of External Affairs adopted a balanced stance on relations with the US. Jaiswal said that the two countries have a strong partnership based on democratic values, shared interests, and people-to-people bonds. However, he did not react to Trump's statement calling India's economy "dead" but emphasized strengthening bilateral relations in the future.

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Question of US sanctions on trade with Iran and Russia

When asked about US sanctions on Indian companies' trade with Iran, Jaiswal said that the Indian government is looking into the matter seriously and will take appropriate steps. He also clarified that India's foreign policy is not decided under any external pressure but on the basis of national interests.

In this press briefing, India made it clear that it will not compromise on its independent foreign policy and national interests. Along with maintaining historical relations with Russia, India is also committed to furthering strategic partnership with the US.

The statement reflects India's "multi-alignment" policy, in which it prioritizes its interests without coming under pressure from any one country. Stay tuned to Dynamite News for further updates.