Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected U.S. criticism of India’s oil purchases from Russia, saying Washington itself continues to buy nuclear fuel from Moscow.
“The U.S. itself still buys nuclear fuel from us for its own nuclear power plants. That is also fuel,” Putin told India Today in an interview released Thursday before his arrival in New Delhi. “If the U.S. has the right to buy our fuel, why shouldn’t India have the same privilege?” he added, noting he was ready to discuss the issue with President Trump.
India’s imports of Russian oil fell to a three‑year low this month amid U.S. tariffs, which Washington argues help curb Moscow’s financing of the war in Ukraine. Putin acknowledged a decline in overall trade during the first nine months of the year but called it “a minor adjustment,” saying volumes remain near previous levels.
Putin arrived in New Delhi Thursday evening for the 23rd India‑Russia Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted him at the airport, and the two leaders traveled together to the prime minister’s residence.