Putin's historic welcome in India, an open challenge to US pressure on India to buy Russian oil

 Putin's historic welcome in India, an open challenge to US pressure on India to buy Russian oil

 

New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin has questioned US pressure during his official visit to India, saying that if the US can buy nuclear fuel from Russia itself, then India has an equal right to buy Russian oil.

Putin was welcomed with extraordinary warmth by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the airport, which is being described as proof of the close relationship between the two leaders.

Putin's arrival comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has imposed heavy tariffs on Indian products for buying cheap Russian oil.

Putin said in an interview with Indian media that some countries are afraid of India's growing global role and want to limit it politically.

Prime Minister Modi welcomed Putin as a "friend" in a message on social media and wrote that India-Russia relations have been tested and have proven to be beneficial for the benefit of the people.

According to analysts, such a warm welcome by Modi for Putin is a clear indication of ignoring Western pressure. India currently imports about 36 percent of its oil from Russia, saving Indian refineries about $12 per barrel.

Modi and Putin are expected to announce a number of agreements on defense cooperation, shipping, healthcare and labor mobility during a formal meeting on Friday. Russia is looking to sell India more S-400 missile systems and Su-57 stealth fighter jets.