Putin: India acts in its own interest, US pressure on India-Russia ties won't work

📌 Summary:

• Speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Russian President Vladimir Putin said India makes decisions as a sovereign country and will resist external pressure.
• He described India-Russia ties as a "trust-based, brotherly relationship" dating back to 1947, stressing that New Delhi's policies are guided by national interest.
• The remarks come amid US pressure on India over its continued purchase of Russian crude oil and defence imports, which had triggered additional US tariffs.
• Putin's framing reinforces India's doctrine of strategic autonomy — balancing ties with both Washington and Moscow.

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 (India-Russia bilateral relations; India's strategic autonomy; effect of great-power rivalry on Indian foreign policy).

📝 Prelims Facts:

• SPIEF = St Petersburg International Economic Forum, hosted annually in Russia.
• India-Russia diplomatic ties date to 1947; relationship is a "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership".

🔑 Key Term: Strategic Autonomy — a state's ability to pursue its national interests and foreign policy independently, without aligning fully with any single power bloc.