India's ties with Russia 'time-tested', should not be seen from prism of third country: MEA after Trump rhetoric

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday rubbished reports about strain in India's bilateral relations with Russia amid US President Donald Trump's tariff imposition.

"Our bilateral relationships with various countries stand on their own merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country. India and Russia have a steady and time-tested partnership," stated MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Jaiswal, however, was quick to point out that India and the US share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests, democratic values, and robust people-to-people ties.

The statement comes following Trump's attack on New Delhi and Moscow for their historically close ties, saying theu can take their dead economies down together.

"I don't care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care," he said.

Trump said the US has done very little business with India, claiming India's tariffs are too high and among the highest globally. He said, similarly, US has “almost no” trade with Russia. “Let’s keep it that way, and tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he’s still President, to watch his words. He’s entering very dangerous territory!” Trump said.

In response, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday asserted that India is the fastest growing majar economy, which is on its way to become the third largest in the coming years.

Goyal said international institutions see India as the bright spot in the global economy, contributing to almost 16 per cent of global growth.

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