India–China: Economic Giants… Putin on U.S. Tariffs – The Colonial Mindset Will No Longer Work
Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned against U.S. attempts at global dominance while acknowledging the rise of economic giants like India and China. He described American tariffs and sanctions as efforts to undermine the leadership of these nations and emphasized that the “colonial era” is over, urging Washington to abandon outdated rhetoric. This reflects the ongoing geopolitical shift and the growing demand for balance in international relations.
Speaking to the press at Beijing’s Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned against any country trying to assert “dominance” in global politics or security. He acknowledged the rise of “economic giants” like India and China and underlined the need for balance in international relations. “From the standpoint of international law, everyone should have equal rights and equal status,” Putin said.
The Russian leader urged Washington not to pressure India and China with tariffs and sanctions. “You cannot speak to India or China in this way,” he stressed. Addressing the media after attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and a military parade in China, Putin accused the Trump administration of using economic pressure to weaken Asia’s two largest powers. Calling India and China “partners,” he argued that the U.S. tariff regime was an attempt to undermine their leadership.
“You are dealing with nations like India and China, with populations of 1.5 billion and powerful economies, but they also have their own domestic political systems and laws,” Putin explained. “When someone threatens punishment, one must consider how the leadership of such large countries will respond. History weighs heavily on their political outlook. They too have faced difficult times—colonialism, long periods of compromised sovereignty. Any sign of weakness would end a leader’s career. That reality shapes their behavior.”
Putin emphasized that Washington’s rhetoric echoed outdated thinking. “The colonial era is over,” he said. “They must understand that such language cannot be used when addressing their partners.”
The Russian president suggested that tensions would eventually ease. “Ultimately, matters will settle, everything will fall into place, and we will see a return to normal political dialogue,” he said. His remarks came at a time when India is facing U.S. sanctions for buying Russian oil, while China remains entangled in a trade war with Washington.
Trump Signals More Sanctions on India
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump signaled additional punitive measures against India, saying his administration had already imposed secondary sanctions over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. He claimed the move had already cost Moscow “hundreds of billions of dollars” and warned that “second- and third-phase” sanctions were still under consideration. “Two weeks ago, I said if India keeps buying, it will face big problems—and that is exactly what happened,” Trump said, insisting that his warning to New Delhi was clear.
Putin Praises India’s Role in Ukraine Crisis
Earlier on Monday, Putin expressed appreciation for India’s efforts toward resolving the Ukraine conflict. Addressing the SCO summit, he said, “We highly value the contributions and proposals of China, India, and our other strategic partners in helping to resolve the Ukraine crisis.”
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