 "'Ties with Russia time-tested': India says relations not driven by third parties amid Trump criticism")
A day after US President Donald Trump questioned the economic and strategic ties between India and Russia, New Delhi on Friday rejected suggestions of any strain in India-Russia relations, saying the two countries have a “steady and time-tested partnership.”
Addressing a weekly briefing on Friday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Our ties with any country stand on their merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country. As far as India-Russia relations are concerned, we have a steady and time-tested partnership.”
#WATCH | Delhi | MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "Our ties with any country stand on their merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country. As far as India-Russia relations are concerned, we have a steady and time-tested partnership." pic.twitter.com/FBN67Lnk46
— ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2025
Trump on Thursday took to social media to criticise both India and Russia, dismissing their economic partnership and accusing India of imposing excessively high tariffs.
“I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“We have done very little business with India — their tariffs are too high, among the highest in the world. Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together,” he added.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsWhen asked about Trump’s broader comments, Jaiswal emphasised the strength of the India-US relationship.
#WATCH | Delhi | MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "India and the United States share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests, democratic values, and robust people-to-people ties. This partnership has weathered several transitions and… pic.twitter.com/M42PC9sJzf
— ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2025
“India and the United States share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests, democratic values, and robust people-to-people ties. This partnership has weathered several transitions and challenges. We remain focused on the substantive agenda that our two countries have committed to and are confident that the relationship will continue to move forward,” he said.
On India’s defence cooperation, Jaiswal said, “The sourcing of our defence requirements is determined solely by our national security imperatives and strategic assessments.”
He declined to respond to former President Trump’s suggestion that India might consider purchasing oil from Pakistan, stating, “I have no comments to offer in this matter.”
With inputs from agencies
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
