Indian media: India will take a stronger stance after Trump's threats — Russia is our friend!

Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi. Photo.

The Times of India reported that, in the context of US President Donald Trump imposing a 25% tariff on India and threatening additional sanctions against India for its trade with Russia, India will adopt a stronger stance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi openly ignored Trump's threats and called on the public to buy local products. In addition, the Modi government has not stopped purchasing Russian oil. The US attitude towards India has changed, and now, given the Ukraine conflict, it sees India as a strategic part of pressuring Vladimir Putin.

In recent statements, Trump criticized India's participation in the BRICS cooperation and its relationship with Russia, saying, "Let them drag down their stagnant economies together."

The EU and US authorities accuse Indian oil processing companies of supporting Moscow's military operations in Ukraine by buying Russian oil. India has become a major buyer of Russia's "seaborne oil," with its imports increasing from negligible amounts to one-third of total purchases — all thanks to lower prices.

India maintains a solid relationship with Russia, and since the Cold War, Russia has been India's main arms supplier. The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently stated that this relationship is a "solid and time-tested partnership."

Below this short article in The Times of India, readers left more than 100 comments. Some of these comments were translated by other media:

Srinivasan: The world would see lasting peace if the US and its Western allies stop interfering in other countries' internal affairs.

Indian netizen: India owes Russia more than many remember. When the US and Europe supported Pakistan — even to the point of threatening nuclear escalation — it was Russia who became our friend. Not only in war, but also in defense cooperation, when the US ignored us. Some alliances are forged in the fire and should not be forgotten.

Pibb: The US is completely bankrupt and is now making money through tariffs.

Ramanathan Gopalkrishnan: Modi knows best how to deal with this clown. The world needs India more than India needs the world.

Subbu Subrahmaniam: Trump's tariff gimmicks will not work on the relevant countries or India.

Shrikant Sherekar: If the US and the EU stop providing funds and weapons to Ukraine, Ukraine would surrender, and the war would naturally end.

Janjhan: Well, Mr. Trump, go ahead and add tariffs. But why insult us? That is unacceptable.

Ashok Nair: The US government acts like a gangster. India should not yield to pressure. We are an independent country with a 7,000-year-old civilization. We should find other ways to compensate for the economic losses.

Suresh Datta: The US is an unreliable partner, not to be trusted. In 1998, they imposed sanctions on India due to its nuclear tests; in 1971, during the formation of Bangladesh, they sent warships into the Indian Ocean.

Gagan: Just as the US president said "Make America Great Again" (MAGA), we Indians should say "Make India Great Again" (MIGA)! That's it!

Debashis Banerjee: India endured 800 years of Muslim rule and 200 years of British colonial rule. The current pressure is just a small problem. We will not bow to the Americans. Russia is our true friend, as it was even when Brezhnev sent the Ninth Fleet to counter Nixon's Seventh Fleet entering the Indian Ocean.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7535283196000928290/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author. Please express your opinion by clicking the 【Like/Dislike】 button below.