US buys (reactor) fuel from us… why can’t India: Russian President Vladimir Putin

“That is also fuel — uranium for the reactors operating in the US. If the US has the right to buy our fuel, why shouldn’t India have the same privilege? This question deserves thorough examination, and we stand ready to discuss it, including with President (Donald) Trump,” said President Putin, who landed in New Delhi on Thursday evening for his two-day India visit.

Asked how India and Russia should handle Trump’s tariff-driven policies, Putin said: “He has advisors who believe that implementing such tariff policies, involving the imposition of additional duties on trade partners, ultimately benefits the US economy. He is acting in good faith, I presume.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin upon his arrival at Delhi’s Palam Airport, marking the start of the Russian leader’s official visit to India today

Amid Washington’s aggressive approach towards New Delhi-Moscow ties, Putin said the collaboration was not directed against any country and was solely aimed at safeguarding respective national interests.

“Neither me nor Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi, despite certain external pressures we face, have ever approached our collaboration to work against someone,” he said. “President Trump has his own agenda, his own goals, whereas we focus on ours — not against anyone, but rather aimed at safeguarding our respective interests, India’s and Russia’s interests.”

Putin also said India cannot be treated the way it was several decades back. “India is no more a British colony, but a major global player,” he said, adding that PM Modi is not someone who bows to pressure easily.

“Our goal is not to provoke conflict; rather, we aim to protect our lawful rights. India does the same,” he said.

PM Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on their way to 7, Lok Kalyan Marg for a private dinner. PTI

The two leaders had a private dinner at Modi’s official residence on Thursday evening and will hold talks on Friday.

On bilateral trade, Putin said over 90 per cent of “our transactions are already conducted in national currencies”. “While some complications arise due to the presence of numerous intermediaries, there are also solutions,” he said.

About his meeting with Trump in Alaska, Putin said: “He constantly speaks about his wish to minimise losses, and I am confident that his sincerity is genuine.”

He said the US has “political considerations and economic interests” in resolving the conflict and said Washington is “actively seeking a solution to this problem”.  On whether Trump could be considered a peacemaker, Putin said: “I am absolutely certain… he sincerely aims for a peaceful resolution… There could also be political interests tied to ending the confrontation, or economic motives too. There are numerous areas where restoring economic relations between the US and Russia would benefit both sides.”