Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a sharp warning to Washington, urging the United States to stop attempting to pressure India and China with tariffs and sanctions. Speaking after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit and a military parade in China, Putin declared that “you cannot talk to India or China in that way,” stressing that both countries were too large and too independent to be bullied by economic coercion.
Putin criticised the Trump administration’s approach, accusing it of using economic tools as weapons to undermine two of Asia’s most powerful nations. Calling India and China “partners,” he argued that the U.S. tariff regime was not just about trade but about trying to weaken the political leadership of countries with vast populations and strong economies. He noted that both nations have their own domestic laws and political mechanisms that must be respected.
Delving deeper, Putin reminded Washington that India and China carry the weight of difficult historical experiences, including colonial subjugation and prolonged challenges to their sovereignty. This history, he said, shapes the instincts of their leadership, leaving them with little room to appear weak in the face of external pressure. “If one of them shows weakness, his political career will be over,” Putin explained, underlining the resilience that history has instilled in their governance.
He further stressed that the rhetoric coming from Washington echoed outdated notions of dominance. “The colonial era is now over. They have to realise they can’t use these terms in speaking with partners,” Putin remarked, dismissing such tactics as relics of a bygone age. He cautioned that trying to undermine the hard-earned leadership of India and China was a strategic mistake.
Despite the harsh words, Putin struck a more optimistic note, predicting that tensions would eventually stabilise. “Ultimately, things will be sorted out, everything will take its place, and we will see normal political dialogue again,” he said, signalling his belief that diplomacy would eventually prevail over confrontation.
His comments came as the United States escalated its stance toward New Delhi. President Donald Trump confirmed that his administration had imposed secondary sanctions on India for continuing to import Russian oil, warning that even harsher measures could follow. He claimed the penalties had already cost Moscow “hundreds of billions of dollars” and issued a blunt warning: “Two weeks ago, I said, if India buys, India’s got big problems, and that’s what happens.”
At the same time, Putin also sought to highlight India’s constructive role in global diplomacy, particularly regarding the Ukraine conflict. At the SCO summit, he praised New Delhi and Beijing for their efforts, saying: “We highly value the efforts and proposals of China, India, and our other strategic partners aimed at facilitating the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.” In this way, Putin balanced his critique of U.S. policy with a reaffirmation of India’s growing importance as a stabilising force on the world stage.
