Putin’s Review: Our Relationship with India Will Not Weaken; Pakistan Is Not Under China’s Control

May 5, Kathmandu – Russian President Vladimir Putin has shared his assessment of the foreign relations of the two nuclear-capable South Asian countries, India and Pakistan. He asserted that despite India’s growing partnership with the United States, its long-standing relationship with Moscow will not weaken. India has been a strategic and commercial partner of the Soviet Union since the Cold War era. Even after gaining independence, India has consistently collaborated with Russia in military equipment and technology. Putin made this assertion based on that enduring relationship.

Similarly, Putin expressed his views on the relationship between Pakistan and China. He stated that Pakistan does not appear to be under China’s control. While Pakistan has been a US ally since the Cold War, it has recently developed substantial trade, investment, and strategic partnerships with China. Pakistan’s relations with the United States have also not deteriorated from its side. Recently, Pakistan played a mediating role between Iran and the US amid ongoing tensions between the two countries.

Putin emphasized that pressuring India regarding its relationship with Russia is “futile” and will not bring any change to the bilateral ties. This statement is understood in the context of former US President Donald Trump exerting pressure and imposing tariffs on India related to fuel purchases while Russia is engaged in conflict with Ukraine. Putin is scheduled to participate in the BRICS summit to be held in India this September. Ahead of this, he publicly shared his perspectives on India and Pakistan.