Russian President Vladimir Putin Promises to Ease Trade Imbalance with India, Calls Modi a “Friend”

On the economic front, Putin acknowledged bottlenecks in payments, financing, and logistics but insisted Russia would buy more Indian agricultural and pharmaceutical products to correct the imbalance. “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 said.

The comments come as India and Russia prepare to mark the 15th anniversary of their “special strategic privileged partnership.” Putin said both governments “almost always coordinate their actions,” and welcomed ideas such as a proposed joint fund for artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.

To the ordinary Indians, the promise of deeper trade ties carries both symbolic weight and practical stakes. While families grapple with rising costs from global trade disruptions, Moscow’s assurances tap into a shared narrative of friendship, one where business, politics and history continue to reinforce each other.