Russia’s Agriculture and Medicines Imports from India will Help Counter India’s US-Tariff-led ‘Losses’, Says Putin
Staff, DigiTIMES. 
Speaking at Valdai discussion forum Putin said, "We love Indian cinema. We are probably the only country in the world, other than India, that we have a separate channel that streams Indian cinema day and night."
At the Russian Valdai discussion forum, referring to the US tariffs imposed on goods from India, President Vladimir Putin applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for delivering “balanced and wise” governance equivalent of the PM Modi’s disposition.
While delivering his lines of speech at the International Valdai Discussion forum, President Putin emphasised on the fact that Russia and India have always maintained cordial relations and there have been no problems or tensions between them and always attuned to each others’ sensitivities.
This year’s edition of the Valdai Discussion forum was held in the Black Sea resort of Sochi in South Russia and in attendance were representatives from India and 140 countries, including security and geopolitical experts.
Highlighting the long-standing India-Russia relationship which is no less than “special”, President Putin described his bonding with PM Modi was one of “comfortable friendship” based on their trustworthy interactions ever since PM Modi came to power.
Speaking at the forum, President Putin further said that PM Modi comes across as a “balanced, wise”, and “nationally oriented” leader. Putin praised India for offsetting US tariff-based pressure tactics by its continued oil imports from Russia.
“India managed well with the punitive US tariffs by ignoring its pressure to discontinue oil imports from Russia. India’s continued oil imports from Russia has helped it gain prestige as a sovereign nation”, The Indian Express quoted President Putin as saying.
In order to fix India’s burgeoning trade deficit bill due to over dependence on Russian oil imports, Russia would import more agricultural products and medicines from India so as to correct the trade imbalance.
On whether India would ignore US pressure to boycott Russian energy, President Putin replied in the negative, saying PM Modi “would never take such a step”.
“India can barely refuse our energy supplies given that a certain loss it will suffer. Indians will closely monitor the political leadership and will never allow any humiliation. I know Prime Minister Modi wouldn’t take any step of this kind.”
