‘India will resist such efforts’: Putin backs New Delhi amid ‘US pressure’ over Russian oil

INdia testament non bow down to pressure level from western sandwich countries, including the United States, over its ties with Russia, Vladimir Putin said on Thursday. Moscow considers New Delhi a ‘reliable partner’, the Russian President added.Speaking at a meeting with heads of leading international news agencies, Putin said India makes decisions based on its national interests and that its relations with other countries do not affect Russia's ties with New Delhi, PTI reported.“The US is trying to pressure India, including over cooperation with Russia, but it will resist such efforts,” Putin said. The Russian President is scheduled to visit India on September 12 and 13 for the BRICS Summit.ALSO READ | India, US reaffirm commitment to reach trade agreement as talks conclude‘Pressure on PM Modi…’"We are glad that India is developing its relations with all countries it thinks important for its national interests," Putin said when asked whether India's growing engagement with Washington could create problems in Russia-India relations.He also referred to Western efforts to influence India's cooperation with Russia: “Everyone has understood that pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India is detrimental for international relations.” Russia calls India a reliable partnerRussia sees no negative consequences from India's bilateral relations with any other country, Putin said, and described India as a trusted partner. “We see India as a very reliable partner; Russia sees no negative consequences from India's bilateral relations with any other country. India is a great nation and democracy and Russia will continue to expand its relations with it,” he said.The Russian president also praised India's economic growth and credited it to the work done by the PM Modi-led government. Putin's praise for India's economy"India is among the world's major economies and is currently demonstrating an impressive rate of economic growth," Putin said, adding that trade between India and Russia could reach $100 billion in the coming years."India is one of the leading economies of the world that has shown the highest rate of economic growth,” he added. “This is not something that comes out of the blue. This is the result of the hard work that the government of India has been doing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”ALSO READ | US looks to end waiver on Russian oil purchase, says Rubio: Here's how it will hit IndiaUS may end waiver to buy Russian oil soonPutin's remarks come at a time when Washington is reconsidering a waiver that has allowed countries, including India, to continue purchasing Russian oil. US secretary of state Marco Rubio recently told lawmakers that the waiver was introduced as a temporary measure to stabilise global energy supplies during disruptions caused by the war in West Asia and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.Rubio said the US wanted to end the waiver "as soon as possible", adding that Washington's broader policy remains focused on sanctions against Russian oil. The exemption, first introduced in March and extended twice, is currently due to expire on June 17, with a final decision expected from the US treasury department.India has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the waiver, which allowed it to resume Russian oil imports after energy supplies through the Gulf region were affected by regional conflict. The issue has also featured in India-US trade discussions, with Washington repeatedly pushing New Delhi to reduce its dependence on Russian crude.