Putin’s New Delhi Visit Reinforces India-Russia Alliance Amid Western Sanctions
President Putin arrived in New Delhi yesterday at the invitation of PM Modi to undertake an official visit that will last for 2 days to enhance and cement the two nations' longstanding partnership established over the last eight decades, and has remained solid throughout changing Global Political Landscapes.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) December 5: Over the course of his high-profile visit to India, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Prime Minister Narenda Modi is "not one to bow down to pressure," including pressure from the United States via tariffs on oil products being sold by New Delhi to Moscow.
Over 90% of India-Russia transactions conducted in national currencies, reducing dollar reliance
Putin emphasized the long-standing historical defence and trade ties that have existed between India and Russia. He pointed out that more than ninety percent of transactions between them occur in their respective national currencies, which alleviates the reliance on and pressure from the American dollar.
Putin was asked specifically about the efforts of the United States and its Western allies to use economic sanctions to stop the oil trade between India and Russia.
“The world has seen that it cannot talk to India the way it used to 77 years ago,” he said.
He added, “India is a great power; not an English or British colony, and everyone will have to take that into account.”
Putin recalls informal car ride with Modi at SCO Summit as symbol of close friendship
In response to a question posed to him, Putin discussed how he and PM Modi were able to take a more casual approach to riding together in a car when they met at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit held in China in September.
Putin said, “This wasn't prearranged; we simply stepped out, and my car was waiting. I asked, ‘Would you like to come along?’ That's all there is to it — a gesture of human solidarity, camaraderie, and friendship. No hidden scheme was involved.”
“We climbed into the car like old friends and talked en route. We always have things to discuss. What's more, we continued our conversation and just remained in the car. Eventually, I suggested, 'Let's go, they are already waiting for us.',” he also added.
Putin praises Modi’s firm stance against US pressure
Putin said, “Prime Minister Modi is not someone who succumbs to pressure easily. The Indian people can certainly take pride in their leader. This is absolutely obvious. His stance is unwavering and straightforward, without being confrontational. Our goal is not to provoke conflict; rather, we aim to protect our lawful rights. India does the same," regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Russian President to receive ceremonial welcome and pay tribute at Rajghat
On his two-day trip to New Delhi at PM Modi's invitation for the purpose of strengthening the adaptively resilient bilateral partnership of over eighty years between India and Russia, the Russian President is expected to receive the traditional ceremonial welcome from the President and Prime Minister of India, and will then go to Rajghat to lay a wreath at the mausoleum of Mahatma Gandhi.
