Modi Highlights India-Russia Partnership, Pushes for Atmanirbhar Bharat

Greater Noida: Amid ongoing US concerns over India’s continued oil trade with Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday backed India’s move for buying Russian energy. He also highlighted long-standing defence cooperation between the two countries, saying that India’s ‘time-tested’ partnership with Russia. The Prime Minister’s remarks came at the UP International Trade show, where Russia is the international partner. Modi also again made a pitch for atma nirbharta or self-reliance, saying a country like India does not want to depend on anyone.

New Delhi has been constantly maintaining a strong and stable partnership with Russia for over seven decades, collaborating closely in key areas such as space, nuclear energy, and defense sectors. But that long-standing relationship seems to be now under scrutiny, as the US President Donald Trump steps up pressure on India to reduce its dependence on Russian energy and arms. “With Russia as a partner, we are strengthening a time-tested partnership,” Modi said at the inauguration of the trade show.

Trump recently imposed a total of 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, where half of which was explicitly aimed at penalising India for its oil purchases from Moscow. While Trump and Modi have spoken recently in an effort to ease tensions, strains between the two countries continue to deepen — fuelled not only by trade frictions, but also by Trump’s immigration policies.

Modi also reiterated his commitment to supporting businesses as India navigates a shifting global trade environment, urging citizens to prioritise homemade products over imports. “In this changing world, the more a country is dependent on others, the more their growth will be compromised,” said Modi, adding “India is no longer willing to be dependent on other countries.”

Modi further said that India’s armed forces seek indigenous solutions and aim to reduce external dependence. “The country must become self-reliant, every product that can be made in India should be made here. Soon, production of AK-203 rifles will begin from a factory set up with Russia's help. A defence corridor is also being set up in Uttar Pradesh. Production of several weapons, including BrahMos missiles has already started,” he said.

The Prime Minister also called upon all stakeholders to invest and manufacture in Uttar Pradesh, which boasts of a robust and expanding network of millions of MSMEs, and assured all support to them. “Despite global disruptions and uncertainty, India's growth remains attractive. The nation’s resolve and guiding mantra is Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and every product that can be made in India must be made in the country itself,” he said.